Soup 'n Dance
Our Annual Soup 'n' Dance is on Friday January 27th in the Morton Center at 6:00 p.m. It's a time to relax after the holiday rush, and enjoy an evening of great food and fellowship. The cost is just $10 per person, $15 per family, OR bring soup, salad, bread, or dessert to serve 10 people. Drinks and paper goods provided by the NCNA.
The eVites are out, so make sure to RSVP and let us know what you are bringing. We can't wait to see you there!
Region's Bank Block Project
Thank you to all the readers that asked for more information on the proposed development on the east side of Northwestern. Here's the scoop:
Ann Hunt is soliciting information and opinions on the project Marc Muinzer is proposing for the block that Region's Bank currently occupies (across Northwestern from the newly remodeled Mackey Arena complex). The Muinzer Project proposal will be an agenda item at an upcoming APC meeting, but is not scheduled for the January meeting.
Ann needs as much of your feedback on the project as possible.
Our representatives to the Land Use Study Group report a push by some of the area landowners to use the APC to convince the residents of New Chauncey to "get with the program" and allow higher density housing (change the zoning from R1 to R3) and reduced parking requirements.
Really? It seems that most of these land owners do not even live in our neighborhood or have to fight the parking issues either. It is so nice of them to try and use the APC to pressure us when they don't have to live with the results.
Our understanding of the current Muinzer proposal is that it is comprised of residential units to house an estimated 600 people over a retail level, with a total of 301 parking spaces. The building will be approximately the same height as the new Wang Hall structure (75 feet).
The idea is that the residential units will reduce the rental pressure on the neighborhood by providing modern living spaces for students. This may be the result of the building. However, it is doubtful that 301 parking spaces will be enough for the residents (typically a building like this would be required to provide at least 450 spaces).
Further, the neighborhood is already impacted by school related parking with more than 9,600 parking tickets issued over the past 4 years in the small multi-block area this project would encompass (that's 2,400+ tickets per year).
The plans also do not seem to address adequately parking for the retail customers or their employees either. The businesses and the developer believe that the majority of their business will be from foot traffic.
Please contact the Mayor and any/all of the City Counselors to ask your questions and express any concerns that you may have. While this proposal has not yet been taken to the City Council for approval, there are ongoing discussions from the developers to garner support for the project. Now is the time to let our City Representatives know how we feel about this development and under what conditions, if any, we will support it.
Potential questions you may consider asking:
- If the residents fill the spaces, where will the retail customers park?
- If there are "retail only" parking spaces, where will the residents park, remembering that most will be non-commuting residents?
- What will be the impact on the homes in the nearby area with another 75-foot building along the east side of Northwestern?
- What will the precedent of two 75-foot buildings mean to future development either north along Northwestern or east further into the New Chauncey Neighborhood?
Halloween Parade - What fun!
Our Annual Halloween Parade was another successful adventure on Lincoln Street. Paul Bower again phoned in wonderful weather and the costumes were great! Thanks for joining us and enjoy the pictures with many thanks to Carl Griffin and Marcus Hammack
