I live close to this project. It is amazing to me when I read and hear people, the proverbial "we" call this "our neighborhood". Who sociologically speaking is this "we"? I have lived here for only 5 years and therefore I don't feel that I stand justified to obstruct the progress of a long term landowner and a committed member of society to take advantage of an opportunity, in a creative way I might add, that everyone else in this city has done. Opportunities should be accessible by all!

My partner, family and I have watched this neighborhood change quite a lot, some positive, some negative. We witnessed the destruction of 8 trees (4 of which were 100 year old curb side trees) next door to us and then the building of a wall all in the name of progress. Part of my garden was destroyed in the process. It was quite exciting, my next door neighbor spoke live on NPR with Mayor Paul Schell, letters were written to the developer and some action was taken within the city, one of which were the developer was required to replace larger caliper trees than what is normally required. We have watched drug activity, police brutality, and other characteristics of poverty right before our eyes. Just recently on Pride Day 2000, we witnessed a drunken landowner cut down two beautiful cherry trees which our neighborhood kids enjoyed climbing and eating its fruit. A lot of less than rational events occur in this neighborhood. Instead of being concerned with the actions of one man, which will in the long run benefit more people than not, we should be concerned about maintaining some level of diversity which translates into accessible housing especially for the under-represented classes of people. That is not happening now and could be part of this bargaining process if we were to think on a larger more global level. We do not live in the suburbs, we are talking city living. I think Mr. Falls is proposing a plan that is conducive to city living. I relish the idea of having increased community space where I can know my neighbors and business owners and feel an increased sense of community. We don't have that now.

My point is let's look at the big picture which includes analyzing historically and making intelligent and well thought out decisions accordingly. What is the whole story? How many times do we have to sit back and watch the underprivileged and people of color discriminated against? If Mr. Falls was a white man like Paul Allen, he would have his stadium regardless of public vote regardless of how many artist studios and low income housing is destroyed, how many quality of life issues violated. If this property is zoned NC3-85, how much low income housing is going to be available? That should be our main concern. I wish to see diversity maintained. That should be our other main concern. I don't want this to be just another gentrification project. That is my overall concern!

I say let Dean Falls develop as he wish. It is after all his property and he has been a part of this community for longer than many of us have even been contributing members of society. I think this proposed development project is extreme but extreme is the theme of this neighborhood, better a positive extreme than the current negative extreme that we are now living with.