North Main Plaza -

Lyman (and Hyatt Park Development Committee),

 

It came to my attention last night that Tony Lawton is negotiating with a fast food chain for the corner lot at Miller and N. Main. There are several things wrong with this proposal. Here are my thoughts;

 

1. 6 million (or so ) has been spent to make the North Main Plaza something to be proud of, The two large tracts of land left to be developed are the "cherry" sites along North Main. Does it make sense to sell out that tract for something that is going to have NO economic impact (other than about 20 minimum wage jobs).

 

2. I do not remember seeing drive thru taco stands listed in THE NORTH MAIN MASTER PLAN as something the community wanted in the way of development. This is totally out of character with the plan. Is the city TRYING to turn North Main into Two Notch Road or some other "suburban" blighted, soulless through fare? Did we not say in the Master Plan that we wanted to embrace New Urbanism for this area?

 

3. Are we willing to have development just for the sake of having development? The Vista just had a charette for an artist village which will bring residents and bodies to the area ( to dine, buy gas, buy art ), is a Taco Bell going to have a similar impact on the best piece of real estate on North Main? This is not "Highest and Best use" of this property, and reminds me very much of the bus barn.

 

4.Does anyone know Mr. Lawton's qualifications for his new position? Has he spoken with ANY of the neighborhood presidents in this area? Has he even LOOKED at the North Main Master Plan? Has he spoken with ANY of the City Planners? Has he ever driven down State Street, Lady Street, thru Five Points? Does he not have a clue as to what we are looking for out here?

 

4. There are PLENTY of corners to squeeze in a TACO BELL (if we want some low rung fast food place at all), are we willing to give up the corner with the most potential for this? Can the TACO BELL not be put where the old book binders was or somewhere else?

 

5. Will the Taco Bell look like the Church's Chicken in 5 years? Greasy, dirty, run down..yet another BLIGHT on North Main? Should I make a "run for the boarder"?

 

6. Will this have to go through zoning? If so, I hope you will join me on the front row.

 

This piece of property needs to be reserved for something with real economic impact, arts uses, or some live-work type of development. Thanks, looking forward to some feed back.

 

Rhett Anders

President

Windemere Springs

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."