This is more or less a neighborhood issue, but the leader of the pro-park group, Julie Schmitt, asked me to mention that they now have an online petition that you can sign.

An excerpt from her email to me:

A quick update - Sean Stegall had put the site plan and house concepts of the agenda for the Historic Commission Design Review subcommittee 2 weeks ago to get the initial approval to move his project (and it IS his project) forward.

BUT at the last minute (2pm that afternoon) canceled saying that the builder was not prepared. Of course, this was just AFTER he heard that I had the WHOLE neighborhood rallied to attend the meeting to oppose the 13 house development and retention pond! The neighbors/residents/tax paying citizens, by an overwhelming majority, want a park! Those who don’t have been scared off by the threat of “gang bangers” and the city’s contention that parks don’t work - look at St. Francis Park, but they don’t have ANY facts to back that up…

Wow, it’s really surprising to me that people would say they don’t want a park because they’re afraid of crime. Like Julie, I would be interested in seeing what studies they have to back this up. I really think that parks would have the opposite effect, because they give children and youths an opportunity to release energy in a safe environment, and also build social capital and connections within the community they serve. I think there’s a shortage of parks in the historic districts, considering how dense neighborhoods are now.

But if the neighbors in that area are firm on not wanting a park, maybe they will compromise and agree to a community garden?

In any case, the real estate market is in a downward trend. Pricing pressure means this development, already challenging because of its small size, is an iffy proposition. With Wellington vacant, I find it interesting that this development company thinks it can turn a profit, even with the city’s generous incentives. I’ll be surprised if they line up financing.

I drove through the area yesterday, and noticed a lot of houses for sale, including one of these new Channing Street houses…

Filed under: citycouncil, history.
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