Dear Council Members,

I urge you to vote against selling the police annex building to private interests and accepting Rebecca Noecker’s alternative of demolition of the bldg - a proposal that matches the last directive from the Council to contract with the Port Authority to demolish and stabilize the site after demolition.

RES 15-945

Thus, preserving a future for a larger, more elaborate park development.

Sincerely,

Dear Council Members,

I am a resident of Ward 2. The promise of Pedro Park is one of the huge reasons I chose some five years ago to purchase my condo west across the street from the proposed park site. Back in 2014, I took a very close look at the neighborhood. I read about the proposed Penfield apartment building where the empty public safety building stood. I attended the Pedro Park planning meetings and eagerly viewed architectural renderings of the park. It was plain to me that the neighborhood was slated for some beautiful developments. That SOLD me on buying my condo across the street.

Between 2006 and 2017, I am sure there were plenty more who bought into this neighborhood for that very exact reason.

I was crestfallen last year when the park plan was suddenly set aside. I urge you to vote against selling this designated park land to private interests.

Reasons:

1) Ackerberg’s proposed tiny but fancy and expensive pocket park to the side of his office building can’t be seen by the 600+ urban dwellers living across the street to the west. For us it’s a picture of nothing but URBAN BLIGHT.

2) Numerous studies of urban neighborhoods suggest that regularly placed attractive green space a)increases housing values b)makes the environment a more pleasant place to live, work and spend leisure time and, in so, attracts both business and residential, and c) generates greater property tax value for local government than those areas lacking such amenities .

Sincerely,

Economic Benefit

Dear,

The role of Mears Park as a central green, cannot be understated in Lowertown's success.

The idea alone of a similar park north of 7th St. sparked a flood of economic activity. The Rossmor, Produce Exchange, and Fitzgerald Condominium conversions, The Penfield and Lunds Grocery Store, restaurants and bars opened to border the new park.

What will an actual full size park bring?

Let's follow in Lowertown's footsteps, a proven model for economic growth.

Sincerely,

P.S. I hope you visit www.savepedropark.com to learn more.

Saving the Park, Saving the Building, & Creating Office Space.

Dear,

The Annex Building is designated parkland per the Comprehensive Plan and the Donation Agreement with the Pedro family.

If preserving the Annex Building is desired, the city, not a private developer, should renovate the building so the bottom floors can be the community asset it is designated to be - indoor sport courts, a picnic area with common kitchen, and public bathrooms are all needed downtown park amenities. Connections to the outdoors can be made on both the lower and street levels. No parking should be allowed in the building to ensure future park expansion will be a car-free zone. Class A creative office space can be rented upstairs to pay for the cost of renovation and ongoing overhead.

Do not throw the baby out with the bath water. Keep ownership of the Annex.

Sincerely,

P.S. I hope you visit www.savepedropark.com to learn more.