Given the tremendous hardship endured by the neighborhood surrounding the factory fire of June 20th, we the undersigned want to urge city officials and all parties involved to honor the pain and suffering of residents by listening to the voices emerging from the neighborhood itself. Specifically we ask that this abandoned space, which has been a scar on the neighborhood for many years, be given to the newly formed community coalition in order that it might be restored into a recreational space. We recognize that there is a need for housing, particularly for those whose homes were destroyed in the fire, and hope the rebuilding of our neighborhood includes construction of new housing on H Street as well as the renovation of other vacant houses in the area. However, given the scarcity of open, green space in the densely-populated, primarily concrete environment, we firmly believe that the best of use of this newly available lot is to invest in a recreational green space that restores dignity and quality of life to this Kensington community.