Lakewood Plaza/Kauffman Park

[Dave Mechenbier]

Like it or not, this is a discussion of worth. Where else can the administration learn of the concerns of the general public, with their names attached? Where else can the administration get this input, without the filter of a consultant or study?

Do you know how I, as a neighbor of the park, was alerted to possible redevelopment? The Mayor dropped a big hint to one of my neighbors but then said he couldn't discuss any details. I can understand why he wouldn't or couldn't discuss details, I place no blame there. Want to know how to peak someone's curiosity? He sparked a few neighbors. Inquires were made and some answers came back. Yes, these were labeled as possibilities and not "plans". We asked our councilman. He was willing to meet with the neighborhod and discuss want he knew and to discuss the process that would be followed if public land were to be part of a transaction. To the Mayor's credit too, he met with a few of the residents along with his Asst Dir. of Planning & Devel. in August. After that meeting, the residents were told of the possible redevelopment and asked to express their views to the Mayor, pro or con, if they wished.

I think it is flat out wrong to sit back and wait of the plan to come out before feedback is considered. If nothing else, the City can't say there was no awareness of the views of the citizens. Possible developers can't say they had no idea what they were stepping into. Who knows, the circle of developers who are qualified may grow. More interested, qualified developers could help to settle the fair market question too.

And consider this, following a couple high profile questionable county decisions, who wouldn't welcome broad based citizen involvement here?