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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/03/2016 00 Misc Distributed at the Meeting Distributed at the Meeting 7 Plaza comments received in general Council email April 26, 2016 — May 3, 2016 May 3, 2016 Matt Tweedy matttweedy c(�gmail com It is beyond me how we do not have the vision to move this project forward This is the future of our downtown Imagine if all the great cities in the world had a large asphalt parking lot in place of their city plazas This is not even much of a stretch with the addition of the private sector funds and the future ROI of increased tourism and downtown development investments This truly is an investment in this community that transcends all economic and demographic boundaries I am a local business owner, downtown property owner and life long resident of this town I implore all members of the council that are currently voting no to please think of the future generations of citizens in this town and what will keep them here or bring them back and the plaza is one of the keys to a vibrant and attractive Yakima You truly have an opportunity to change this city for the better forever Dirk Bernd dirkbyron(a�gmail.corn I typically write separate emails to you, tonight I want all city council members to know the questions are being asked and I would like an answer back It seems some have given into the fear of what's to come, how much will this cost. I believe primarily you've had one person preaching to you I think you have come up with different reasons to justify your answer in not supporting the plaza So I ask these questions of you, as they seem to be your primary concern or focus of where you want to get things done, or accomplish something Since some have gone out and openly said that there needs to be more investment on the eastside regarding sidewalks, street lights and parks? Since becoming elected how much time have you spent trying to make that positive difference in that area or section of your community? How many hours have you spent with the roads dept, lighting dept. what is there budget what are they doing to get things moving in the right direction Are you becoming an expert in these areas of your concern, do you understand what it will take or is it even possible? Many Years ago, Bruce Smith got his way and the softball /baseball fields in the location Kiwanis park and they weren't built. Luckily the private sector didn't give up and found a way to make this project happen Since a collaboration with the city, and Kiwanis, Lions and rotary came together with the public sector, they have turned that run down part of town in a a beautiful part of town That not only looks good, but drives thousands to this community on weekends through the spring and summer They come from out of town to events and they stay in our hotels eat in our restaurants and they enjoy our weather This was a park creation, tearing down the old and trusting in the new, this is now a bright shining spot in our community It is also a multi- million dollar expense to the city and included significant investment by the private sector Looks how its made our city shine The city council years ago didn't know the answer, they couldn't make the calculations, they how ever instead the looked to hire a consultant to help make and create a economic impact and improve the downtown city core Economic impacts that eventually create opportunity and drive revenue to the city of Yakima That's part of this plan, to make Yakima better and get people to come and spend more time and money in our city Don't give into to the fears and the negativity that the others Those in favor of the plaza do so with the best intentions for this city and to make it a better place You have a number of joint ventures coming down the pipeline that as well will make this city and community better Don't cause those to hold back on future development with the city and the private sector Hesitation on moving on this project only hinders the ability for the private sector to jump on board with these other awesome projects I joined SW rotary in 2011 to get involved and make a difference in my community Over the last two years, we have raised 150k, which we have poured back into this great city, and I will tell you, we have given an enormous amount of our funds raised to the City for park improvement projects Miller park, Kiwanis park, franklin park, Randall Park and we are looking a new park projects in the future I've personally given to and raised money for this community, I have a great passion for this city Nothing makes me more upset than hearing those that have moved away and make comments publically like, the best part of Yakima is when it's in your rear view mirror I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be or sound like a jerk, just want the best for this community and there is nothing better than as a citizen of this great city then to see, actually see where our tax dollars are spent. This is only the beginning, please take a stand and support this plaza and vote yes with moving us forward and make this city great. Thank you for your time and consideration By the way, years back I have called in myself to the department regarding city street lighting There's nothing I'd like more than to fly over our city at 30,000 feet descending into Seattle and easily being able to pick out the brightest city in the state of WA, that being Yakima, because its lit up so well I'm on board and will be a supporter and advocate for making Yakima light up at nighttime I believe we need to collaborate with the county and other government agencies to find ways that together we can collaborate in efficient ways, we should be reaching out to them and start the planning for the future not just 1 -5 years but 10 years plus For example a joint city and county Sheriff and Yakima Police center with shared facilities (I'd think the fairgrounds backside) area would be a great location and potential location for future planning We need to collaborate together though I honestly believe we are better together! May 2, 2016 Pat Reynolds reynoldsp(�q com I am unable to attend the special meeting Tuesday evening at the city council vote on the Plaza I am writing in support of the Plaza and hope that the concerns that Mayor Avina Gutierrez has can be addressed to her satisfaction, enabling her to vote yes on the Plaza I do not believe every detail needs to be worked out regarding the budget or maintenance budget or a list of committees, at this point in time I have personally pledged a small amount for the Plaza and would consider pledging more I strongly believe that the Plaza is the boost our community needs to continue the positive changes that have begun in downtown Yakima I ask each of you to please reconsider your vote, knowing that we the people will be the winners or losers Michael Gempler mikegempler©msn.com As you approach the Tuesday vote on the plaza project I ask that you not approve the plaza project unless you have enough money to build the plaza and do significant neighborhood improvements The neighborhood improvements should be top priority Improvements should not be limited to just the East side neighborhoods near downtown, although they should be included in the earliest action Neighborhoods in the northern part of the city, those bordering Union Gap, and more, are also in need of adequate lighting, sidewalks, parks, pools and neighborhood centers Thank you for your work in making this tough decision There is a lot of pressure and publicity associated with the plaza issue Further downtown development can occur at a later date after the neighborhood improvement plan is put into place In the event that the council approves the plaza on Tuesday, I ask that you immediately turn your attention to the development of a neighborhood improvement plan including funding and a timeline April 29, 2016 Bev Manning Bevm2204(a�hotmail corn I am a resident of Yakima that previously was not in favor of the downtown plaza primarily because I hated giving up the parking space involved in the location of it. I felt it was so convenient to be able to park at that location and walk to the theatre, restaurants, etc However - this past year when visiting Missoula, Mt. we drove past their downtown plaza and immediately I had a heart change We, as a family, were so attracted to this space we had to check it out and it's now one of our favorite destination points when visiting Missoula It's such an inviting space I would love to see Yakima move forward with the plaza I realize we give up some parking spaces in that location (although other parking will be added) But, the positives so far outweigh the negatives I urge you to consider moving forward with the plan From what I am hearing, the majority of residents are in favor it. Plus private donors are paying= for part of this project, so not all will come from the city budget. Bottom line - once you personally experience a plaza in other cities you suddenly realize the value of it, and can see how this could translate to Yakima I truly believe it would be an attraction and a huge step in revitalizing downtown Yakima It would be a place I'd love to bring guests - plus my family would definitely spend time there Please consider approving this and moving it forward I think you on the council will look back in a few years and be grateful you did Thank you April 27, 2016 Sally Tonkin Sallytonkin 1(a�yahoo.com I know this is a difficult decision for all of you, even those who've spoken against the Plaza in the past. I wish it was just a question of those who want ultra - convenient parking vs those who want a community gathering place It's so much more on all sides of the issue I teach at Davis High School I see this new park as a huge opportunity for the kids I teach who are mostly from neighborhoods in east Yakima I haven't heard their needs talked about much so I'd like to add this perspective to the discussion They would benefit enormously from having a beautiful park within walking distance and they would benefit by having a vital business community that they can be a part of in the future This is about jobs My students, talented and hardworking, want to stay with their families in Yakima but they have few work opportunities beyond jobs that don't even pay a living wage They want to know that they can manage businesses or establish businesses This is one of the rare opportunities that we have to create an environment where retail can grow in the downtown core, in the middle of the east side neighborhoods The growth of a vital retail space will make Yakima attractive to other businesses This is something that one of the speakers at the Hispanic Chamber meeting pointed out; he said he loses good potential employees when they drive through downtown My students - and their families - need places to work locally where they can earn a living wage This is also about quality of life This is a chance to build a park in the central part of east Yakima, at a relatively low cost. My students live near the plaza It's a park that my students and their parents would use for evening walks, flirting, picnics, music, watching the little kids play in the water I know there must be parks to the east of Lion's field but I can't think of anything that is between Davis and Terrace Heights besides the skate park I saw the Princess Diana memorial park that Katherine Gustafson designed in London It was absolutely packed with children playing in the rivers of water It was a warm day and the water was key It wasn't easy to reach People were willing to make a long walk to get there But, obviously, the immediate need is investment by the city in the infrastructure of the neighborhoods my students' families live in Unfortunately, denying the plaza investment doesn't mean that those dollars will go directly toward sidewalks and lighting and all of the other many things that are more in the category of needs than wants Yet there are plaza supporters who have woken up to the fact that Yakima has enormous problems I can't say that is true for the vocal opposition who will drift away once they secure cheap and convenient parking The people who support the plaza seem willing to support and campaign for other east Yakima projects as well That's real progress that will lead to transformation in a long stultified community! The shrewdest question is How can we leverage the Plaza into even greater gains in the neighborhoods of east Yakima? There has to be something more gained here for this investment to make sense My impression is that that's what Avina Gutierrez was saying yesterday Find the answer to that question and we will see the council do something revolutionary in Yakima, not just in the plaza area, but throughout the east side of town, something I haven't seen in my lifetime I don't know the answer to this but I hope you can come up with something we can tie to this to make it a win -win This is the best opportunity Yakima has had in more than a generation to see its leadership transform the community Please find a way to make something good happen for kids who live in a place that just continues to see decline Good luck to all of you as you approach the vote You've been handed a tough decision and handled the controversy admirably Casey Corr caseycaseycorr.com Mayor Gutierrez and the City Council You have an opportunity with your election to write a new chapter in Yakima's history Let's bring people together and build a coalition committed to Yakima's future, especially for its underserved communities Don't play the old politics of fear, pitting one side against another We do more together than divided Use the plaza as a catalyst for positive change and help create a one Yakima Thanks to donations, the city's remaining cost for the new plaza has been reduced to just $3 8 million That's an affordable and wise investment in new jobs, more tax revenue for city services, and a new gathering place Don't turn your back on this historic opportunity and those committed to continue with improvements across our city Embrace change Build the plaza and invest in a better Yakima for our children and families April 26, 2016 Sandi Belzer sandibelzer@charter net Thank you for your careful consideration of the plaza I hope that the council will study the alternative proposal We need the parking it affords Jenny Falk iennyfalk@fairpoint.net I am saddened today to hear of Mayor, Avina Gutierrez's, opposition to the Plaza project. There is no growth without risk, and all variables cannot be accounted for This project has been carefully developed Numerous hours of research and planning have been spent discussing variables An inspirational amount of private funding has been generously pledged in good faith with aspirations to make our community better Positive projects like the Plaza have a ripple effect in communities like Yakima that cannot be discounted or minimized by concerns about parking and maintenance That sound= s like opportunity and jobs, to me Yakima has been blossoming with recognition for its wineries, agricultural provisions, artisans, music, and weather Its central location has always been a draw The Plaza could enhance and capitalize on all of these things Yakima is at the precipice of being something even better From an economics point of view, how can Yakima afford not to go forward with the Plaza? It is not just about good planning and people willing to give of themselves to make our community better it also takes a little bit of faith