Mark was nice enough to provide me with more information:
The meeting smelled like a setup to me. Barely advertised. I only found out about it at the last minute from a connected friend. Then Habitat shows up with presentation materials and a board member/politico prepared to do a full presentation. What was supposed to be a public input meeting turned into an exclusive pitch for the Habitat Restore people.A set up? I think I now understand why I can't find anything about this on the Habitat ReStore web site.
An architect from the Hyde Park criticized Restore's plans as they showed the building on the SW corner of 31st & Troost completely covered in ivy. He correctly pointed out that ivy is extremely destructive to brick. I found it ironic that an organization centered around housing would produce a plan that damages a classic structure like the old Katz drug store.
Posts
3 comments:
It was an odd meeting. I disagree (partly) with Mark - -I do think this meeting was fairly well publicized among the neighborhod groups. I knew about it several weeks in advance, and I know there were representatives there from all the neighborhood groups -- Squire Park, Hyde Park, Center City, Longfellow and Beacon Hill. However, I do think the Habitat element was a little misleading --because I think as a whole, the majority of the people there weren't very representative of the neighborhood as a whole (although, with the neighborhoods involved, it is a very diverse group of neighborhoods, which is why most of us love it there). It just apparently wasn't promoted at all outside of the neighborhoods -- and got off track quite a bit by the Re-Store conversation.
I came to listen and possibly answer questions if they came up. The people in attendance were asked if they wanted a short explanation of my dreams for the corner of Linwood and Troost. I feel that is what I provided. The only set up was that I have visited every neighborhood group directly touching this area (Hyde Park, Center City, Beacon Hills and Longfellow)and tried to answer concerns at that point also. I want to be a good community member and be very transparent in how we go about this.
You all should know that the only reason the city is moving toward returning this property into the circle of life is because I have been putting pressure at as many points as I could think of to light a fire under the bureaucrats that control the process. If I had not met with several Council members and the City Manager and Assistant City Manager, urging them to ask the bureaucrats to do their job, there would not have been any neighborhood meeting and there would be no possibilities of anything happening at that corner.
So, your comments are heard, your concerns are noted and I hope I have the opportunity to talk with you openly to discuss your concerns. dr
One more comment about walk ability: do you think that Brookside offers a walkable business district? I know I consider it so but I have to drive there, park AND THEN WALK ABOUT. And that is what I think those that travel to ReStore 2.0 will do; as new businesses recognize the opportunity and open their doors. A diner, a coffee shop, a beauty salon, a sundries store...what have you. The entrepreneur will see the customers that are arriving at Linwood & Troost and recognize them as potential customers and take the risk. This will be organic growth, one shop at a time. Not the massive development that has been promised for the past 40 years and has never arrived. I am not one that is making promises in the air...I want to help rejuvenate this classic business district and all these ideas are needed. Bye.
Post a Comment