[RP TownTalk] Preserving Dumm's Corner

Tue Mar 28 20:12:54 UTC 2006

Doug and all,

I'm happy to hear that you, Audrey, Emily and others are coming together to
consider alternatives that can be suggested for the Dumm's Corner area.  I
have of course talked directly to many of you about this project, have read
a lot of messages--some available to all and some directed to me
alone. While the concerns expressed to me have common traits, I can make no
common program out of the host of things I've heard.  It would be very
beneficial to me and the whole process for a significant number of
you to propose a common list of concerns about the current program.

If these concerns are so overwhelming that you feel the project can't be
done, then please propose a reasonable alternative.  There are other
developers out there that are interested in this area, and perhaps if we
can't work with the Patriot Group, we can work with another. My point is,
please be positive.  Lets figure out how to build up or town, not just bring
down the ideas/plans of others.

As mayor of the town I feel it would be wholly inappropriate for me to
participate directly in your upcoming forum. I must act the honest broker
for all legitimate interests, and just as I cannot sit down with the patriot
group and plot strategy with them, nor can I sit down and plot strategy
with its opposition--at least not until the legally proscribed process has
had a chance to run its course.  I can, and do meet with them to discuss
what I think of their proposals, and I can and will meet with any
representatives of this new "preservation" group to discuss any proposals
you come up with.  I will also facilitate discussion/negotiation between all
parties to try to get improvements that we all find acceptable.

In the interest of seeing your meeting come up with some suggestions that
actually move the debate forward I would like to ask everyone to consider
the following:

1) Many seem unalterably opposed to apartments--in any form.  The zoning
allows apartments to be part of the mix of uses, and we cannot legally
reject a project on this account--the developer sues and we will lose.  (It
was a significant early victory to get the developer to change to condos. If
this project moves forward, the next step is to insist on a condo
association with strength and covenants that prevent the building from
becoming de facto apartments through individual owners renting out their
condos.)

2) There are currently apartments and a rooming  there.  Many
parents--myself included--would very much like to see the rooming house go
away.  I've heard for 10 years musings about creating a bed and breakfast
there, but to date I know of no coherent plan to make it happen.  Isn't it
time that we find someone to do this, or let it go to rest?

3) The Spuropolis family has the legal right to build on their
property--WITHIN THE ZONING RULES. There will be a significant project there
if they or whomever they sell to desire it.  There will be dirt, noise,
concrete dust, construction workers whistling at passing women, the whole
ugly mess that is construction.  We need to concentrate efforts on THE
RULES--that is to say the MUTC guidelines.  Our negotiating strength lies in
keeping the developer to the THE RULES, and or extracting real concessions
that we--the town as a whole--want in exchange for allowing the developer to
get variance from the rules.

4) I hope that you will address Potomac Development properties too--Routes
One and 410. The proposal there is as big a rejection of the historic
character of this town as anything I've ever seen proposed.  I guess we are
all worn out from the years of struggle followed by emptiness, followed by
the Berlin '46 look that we are perhaps willing to settle for any old
thing.  If some significant group of Riverdalians stood up and said we don't
want a "Box in a Lot" we want something that looks like our vision of
Riverdale, then I in turn would have more negotiating weight that might
allow us to BOTH keep the bank and get the building size/look etc. that fits
the character we once had, and seek to regain.  Ultimately don't we want our
most prominant corner to say "YOU ARE NOW ENTERING SOME PLACE" not simply
wondering past no place.

5) Please come the MUTC educational presentation on Monday at 7:00 at Town
Hall.  This will help everyone to better understand what we can do, what
property owners can do, and how differences between the two get settled.
Obviously come to the actual MUTC meeting on April 5 at 7:30 too.

6) This Friday I, along with council members and town staff will meet with
our new economic development contractor.  Her name in Kennedy Smith and her
credentials include among other things that she ran the Main Street Program
for the National Trust for Historic Preservation for 13 year.  She appears
to be a real home run hitter in the field of bringing economic
revitalization to older down towns.  Several people from surrounding
jurisdictions have expressed amazement that we have managed to land her.

This being said, it would be wonderful to have a revitalized historic
preservation association to work along with the town, business owners and
our new economic development pro to get positive changes
happening throughout our town. It is my hope that is what will grow out of
your meeting tomorrow night.

Best wishes,

Vern

On 3/27/06, Douglas McElrath <mcelrathd at msn.com > wrote:
>
>  Emily Manning and Audrey Bragg have called a meeting of town
> folks interested in discussing alternatives to the Patriot Group project
> currently being proposed for Dumm's Corner and surrounding properties.  This
> meeting comes in anticipation of the MUTC educational forum on April 3 and
> the actual meeting to discuss the Patriot Group project on April 5.  Former
> members of the old Preservation Association and anyone else concerned that
> we seem to be tearing down the historic fabric of our town without
> considering whether such development is sustainable and in keeping with the
> vision of a town that treasures its vintage buildings should consider
> attending. We also may use the occasion of this meeting to discuss
> reviving a town preservation group.
>
> The meeting will occur at Audrey's house (4910 Ravenswood Road) on
> Wednesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.
>
> Doug McElrath
>
> _______________________________________________
> TownTalk mailing list
> To post to the list, send mail to TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
> TownTalk-request at riverdale-park.org is for automated subscription
> processing only
> http://riverdale-park.org/mailman/listinfo/towntalk_riverdale-park.org
>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://riverdale-park.org/pipermail/towntalk/attachments/20060328/684575b0/attachment-0003.html>