Aug 08 2008
08/08/08 Good Luck to all
I attended City Council last night. I relished seeing the expression on the surprised council majority as I walked up to the podium to weigh in on the 25-story building now referred to as 601 South Forest. I am sure The Council Clique thought I would be off “licking my wounds” from the election results that now just seem like a bad dream.
There was a public commentary period on a proposed project that will dominate the landscape for the next 50 years at the corner of South University and Forest Ave if allowed to proceed as planned. As I spent more time canvassing the residents of Ward 2 during the past several months than anyone in the City, I felt obligated to report on behalf of the residents of our ward what I felt their sentiment is concerning this controversial project. Some of the residents I spoke with were at the meeting and so I am glad that I took the time to attend.
Most Ward 2 residents feel that 25 stories is out of character and scale with the central campus business district. I did not meet one person that felt that no development should go in on the site. Residents that remember South University from “The Glory Days” recalled a vibrant shopping district with campus classics such as Mary Dibble’s, Redwood and Ross, Wikel’s Pharmacy and the Village Bell. Those days are a sad contrast to the current condition of the area filled with seedy bars, fast food restaurants and vacant buildings. To the merchants and owners of the area, the new project represents a false hope to return us to the “Happy Days” scripts. This dichotomy will eventually lead to clash between residents and business that erroneously perceive us to be anti-development. It is not that simple.
All stakeholders have a right to an opinion of what our great city will look like. One stakeholder’s opinion is not less important than any other in this process. The role of City government is to help us all achieve a consensus of how we want to grow and codify that consensus so that the process is fair and consistent to all stakeholders. That goal has not been achieved. Our City Planners like to think that it has been, but it is clear to me that most people with opinions do not feel they have been heard from…..and I can assure you they will be heard.
