To the Editor:
I was present at last month’s City Council meeting. The main topic of the evening was the approval for the housing complex on the empty lot next to the corner of 45th Street and Avenue E. In my opinion, the City Council showed contempt and arrogance toward the people who showed up to discuss the project. A number of attendees felt the City Council’s mind was already made up on the matter, which I agree to.
Despite the residents’ concerns about the project, members of the council appeared to brush them off. One of the main concerns was about parking. The building will only have 41 parking spots for 46 apartments. Where will the cars for visitors and extra tenants be parked? This was not even adequately addressed.
Perhaps in a compromise, the developer could reduce the number of apartments in the building so there will be extra parking spots. But I highly doubt anyone from the city will suggest it or that the developer would do such a thing, even though the builder got a sweetheart tax deal with the city.
So in a few years, if you live in or are visiting the area around the building and can’t find parking, you can remember who to thank for it – the City Council. Instead of building more housing, maybe the city should focus on figuring out how to attract industries that provide long-term, good paying jobs for the residents of the city.
JOHN BUDNIK