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Permalink Reply by Shawn on July 23, 2009 at 7:34pm

Margy, thank you for attending the meeting last night, and especially for updating us about what happened. As for myself personally, I would like to know if that the folks who are concerned about losing their view, are actual property owners that would be affected by the proposed building(s)? Also I'm wondering why people would question someone who has, and wants to continue to invest (millions of private money) into the 19th Ward. Considering, that for the past 20+ years many property owners in the 19th Ward have not even invested in their own properties.

I understand that change can be hard for some. And for many who have lived here for a while, they don't want to loose what they know. Even if what they know is depressed, run down. I applaud the UR for extending their reach into the Ward. They have the resources, and connections, Mr. Christensen being one, to help make the dreams of a renewed 19th Ward a possibility.

Once again, thank you for keeping us in the loop, and for being an active member of Location19.
-Shawn

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Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on July 23, 2009 at 11:07pm

Yes, thanks Margy, for attending and reporting. Shawn, I suspect most of those who have complaints about "losing their view" are homeowners. But yes, times change, and frankly, this neighborhood needs the development. I am sorry to hear that plans were not even able to be fully presented, as I certainly am in favor of neighborhood development. My understanding is that in order to build a restaraunt, financials would be tremendous to build one story, as pilings have to be sunk to bedrock. At great cost. So to recoup, more than one story is necessary.

I find it upsetting that "Mr. Christensen was not able to deliver his full presentation. Many of the meeting participants were quite vocal and seemingly not happy with him or his ideas (the comments actually started before he finished his first slide showing people the plans). Neighbors who live in the area most close to Brooks Landing are especially concerned about losing their 'view' and/or having condos built so close to their existing properties. Concerns and questions were raised about the jewish community center (the concern about that was NOT at all clear to me). Other expressed concern about traffic on Genesee. "

I understand people's concerns, but at least make an informed decision after hearing what may be planned. The purpose of the meeting as I understand it was to get opinions from the community.

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Permalink Reply by DK Miller on July 24, 2009 at 7:25am

Margy, thanks for your great coverage.

I missed all of the meeting because I was tied up with another development project downtown! Ron met two weeks ago with the Presidents/Executive Directors of the three affected neighborhoods (JB Afoh-Manin, 19th Ward; Pat Jackson, SWAN; Dorothy Hall, PLEX). He received a much warmer welcome and was given full opportunity to present. They also requested that Ron get community feedback so the Sector 4 Community Development Corp. arranged and hosted the meeting on the 22nd.

As developers go, Ron is not a slick, polished "snake oil salesman". He is a hardworking guy that a 19th Ward resident found in Minneapolis 10 years ago when no local developers would touch our neighborhood. He committed then to build a hotel, and after much wrangling with the State, and Federal gov't, the downturn following 9/11 and increased materials costs, he did exactly what he committed to do. He then stepped in and rescued the Brooks Landing Business Center when the original local developer dropped the project. He continues to fly here from Minneapolis every 2 weeks to make sure the project is progressing.

I for one would like to see continued development in our area, and as a UR alum, don't see any downside to having young, energetic college students in the neighborhood with us. I don't have any fear of the UR "taking over" the neighborhood. There is no difference in what the UR needs and what we need, a strong, vibrant, safe, walkable community with high quality housing, goods and services available.

The goal of Brooks Landing when we started 25 years ago was to create a catalyst to redevelop the area. Now that it is actually happening we are struggling a bit with "how much is too much". This community is vocal, active and asks the hard questions, but at the end has supported projects that benefit the area. There will be more discussions.

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Permalink Reply by MacClurg Vivian on July 24, 2009 at 8:45am

Thank you Shawn and responders below for your thinking about this situation. Though only 7 months in the ward as a new homeowner (Winbourne), I am a long time city resident and care about my new community. I have been delighted with the development at Brooks Landing. Too bad someone wasn't facilitating the meeting that could have diplomatically interrupted the rudeness. Sounds like folks need to vent.

I am interested in hearing more about future development. I do not support building high on the river and blocking its lovely view, we did that downtown years ago--a big mistake. I also think it can change the entire feel of a neighborhood when multi story construction takes place in appropriately. An attractive, welcoming environment should always be a goal of any development. I was told by a person involved in negotiating with the UR apts. complex developers on Plymouth Ave. that he and others fought for a more visually appealling and welcoming front to that property, with some success. It would have been even less open than it is now, if they had not done this. I guess my point here is that developers are not always thinking of what is best for the neighborhood and we need to stay informed and vocal (but respectful) regarding our concerns. Someone should facilitate another meeting re the original agenda and move this a bit further. Who would that be? Again, thanks for the comments. Regards to all. MacClurg Vivian

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Permalink Reply by Angie Burch on July 24, 2009 at 9:14am

Margy, thanks for your excellent summary of the meeting on Wednesday night. I too attended and just want to add that I found it interesting no one took note of Mr. Christenson's comment that the immediate neighbors to his new development have seen a marked increase in their property values since the hotel was built. I like the idea of my property values going up and I don't have to lift a finger. (Well, almost.) I think someone wanting to invest in our neighborhood with mixed use properties that will attract people from around Rochester is a plus. I am so tired of seeing beauty salons and barbershops every 50 feet. Maybe it will encourage more creativity in the variety of businesses or social gathering places that will be attracted to the neighborhood since there will then be a crowd coming into the neighborhood to sustain their operation, like the Park/Monroe Ave area.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on July 24, 2009 at 10:13am

I too am tired of looking at beauty salons/barber shops every 50 feet and/or come and go Cricket Stores, 'restaurants', etc. I have a 'fantasy' that Ron Christensen (or some other decent developer) might begin to look at Thurston Road as a place to invest some money - IMAGINE IT!

In terms of the river front/river view issue, Christensen's plans do not appear to completely obstruct any view- and, a restaurant in the proposed location would probably ATTRACT more people to the neighborhood. As it currently exists, we don't seem to have people flocking to the 19th ward because of our river view and/or river front businesses. Cornhill Landing has done a great job in using their river front property in a way that serves the immediate neighborhood and also attract 'outsiders' to spend money. Park Avenue has done the same with their array of interesting restaurants and stores. The South Wedge has also done a TON of work and seems to be successfully attracting investors........

I appreciate Shawn's point when he said "for the past 20+ years many property owners in the 19th Ward have not even invested in their own properties". We bought our house here 22 years ago - at that time, Thurston was half way decent and I had hope that it would improve. Sadly, it's done nothing but decline - businesses come and go, drug traffic seems to have increased, etc. Likewise, it seems that many property owners have allowed their homes/properties to deteriorate and it FEELS like we're at a point where the 19th ward could either become RE-vitalized or continue to deteriorate.

I also appreciate Dana's point about our relationship with the UR. The UR is the largest employer in Rochester and a world renowned University yet we have people in our neighborhood who talk about them as if they're some sort of 'evil empire'. Many communities across the country have created very successful university/neighborhood partnerships - surely we should be able to do the same!

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