DEFER APPROVAL OF THE CENTER STREET REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

We the undersigned OBJECT TO APPROVING THE CENTER STREET REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ON OCTOBER 26

BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT

SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION TO REZONING AND PLACEMENT OF  MEGA-APARTMENTS AND A MASSIVE GARAGE IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN is being IGNORED.

The petition objects to the approval of the Center Street Redevelopment Plan on October 26.

Key Arguments Against the Plan

• Unfair Bidding Process: The current contractor had an extended period to design their proposal, while competitive bidders were only given 45 days, effectively eliminating fair competition.
• Violations of the Comprehensive Plan: The project ignores density and height limits established by residents, proposing a 5-to-6-story, 162-unit rental building that dwarfs the historic 165-year-old Meredith House.
• Dangerous Rezoning Precedent: By using rezoning to bypass existing rules, the Council creates a "ripple effect" that allows future limits to be ignored anywhere in the city.
• Incompatible Architectural Design: The current modern design violates historic guidelines requiring traditional facades and porticoes, with residents comparing the drawings to a factory, prison, or hospital.
• Strained Infrastructure: Adding a 50% population spike to the historic district will worsen dangerous traffic congestion and threaten a sewer system that was already at 95% capacity in 2023.
• Financial Risk and Skyrocketing Debt: Taking on over $13 million in debt during economic instability and high material costs risks massive, taxpayer-funded cost overruns.
• Lack of Urgency: The similar Messenger Place project remains largely unrented and unsuccessful, proving there is no immediate need for a massive new garage and apartment complex.
• Demand to Defer: The petition demands that the Council defer the vote to allow a new City Council and an independent accountant to evaluate the plan's financial soundness.