[RP TownTalk] Riverdale Corner

Mon Feb 12 17:50:25 UTC 2007

All

I would like to make our readers aware of a very important point regarding the Patriot group.  There is a big difference financially between the Patriot Group's proposal and Pete's proposal.  The difference is that the Patriot Group had to buy Pete's properties and businesses in addition to building the 5 story condo building.  Pete already owns the businesses and land and does not have to bear the burden of their expense. 

I categorically do not agree that the 5 story proposal is the only option.  A two story project may be doable if Pete is willing to consider it not to mention the rest of you.

Bruce

-----Original Message-----
>From: Bruce <bruce_md at mac.com>
>Sent: Feb 11, 2007 7:33 PM
>To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
>Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Riverdale Corner
>
>All:
>
>I've been reading the comments and ideas that have been talked about on this list. As I perceive it, the success of the condo project rests with being able to achieve have businesses occupy the retail space. I've noticed that other retail space in the MUTC has gone unoccupied for quite some time so what is it about the condo project that will attract businesses to their retail space when these other locations remain vacant?
>
>Bruce
>
>
>On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:01:27 -0500
>James Coleman <jcolema3 at aol.com> wrote:
>
>> Sorry, I missed sending this to the list.
>> 
>> jc
>> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> > From: James Coleman <jcolema3 at aol.com>
>> > Date: February 11, 2007 2:40:57 PM EST
>> > To: Alan Thompson and Sarah Wayland <twacks at his.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Riverdale Corner Height
>> >
>> > I am more than satisfied with most of the efforts that the Spiropoulos 
>> > family has made in compliance with our MUTC guidelines. Whether this 
>> > is a done deal or not, I believe that this project is the seed for 
>> > growth and positive movement in our town center and I will be speaking 
>> > about it to any officials who need to hear this. Anyone who has a 
>> > better idea or something positive contribute to the conversation I am 
>> > very open to listening to but I am very opposed to views that reject 
>> > this proposal without coming up with an economically viable 
>> > alternative for our town.  If town center has been close to empty for 
>> > thirty years (as I have heard), it is important to come up with 
>> > positive solutions.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Jim Coleman
>> > 4911 Somerset Road
>> >
>> >
>> > On Feb 11, 2007, at 9:44 AM, Alan Thompson and Sarah Wayland wrote:
>> >
>> >> There has been a lot of discussion on the list lately about the
>> >> Riverdale Corner development, stories, appearance, etc.  I'm working 
>> >> on
>> >> a long note about it, but that will have to wait until after my son's
>> >> birthday party this afternoon.  I'll make a few quick points here and
>> >> try to post that later.
>> >>
>> >> The first point is that this is the second proposal for the site, and
>> >> both developers have said they need five stories to make it work.  The
>> >> Patriot group claimed to have investigated *many* different plans, 
>> >> from
>> >> two to five stories, and that it took five to make it work.  They did
>> >> not get approval from the council, and abandoned the project after
>> >> spending, I would guess, about $100,000 on design.  Pete and Sons say
>> >> they tried to limit the building to four stories, and were told by the
>> >> banks that it would not work financially.  While I would prefer a
>> >> shorter building (that's why, after all, I agreed to the height limit
>> >> when I was helping write the MUTC guidelines years ago), I have to
>> >> believe that the developers have tried to meet the requirement, and
>> >> simply cannot.
>> >>
>> >> My second point is that Pete and Sons did something that only one 
>> >> other
>> >> developer has done in the MUTC process so far, which is to show the
>> >> utmost respect for the town and the MUTC guidelines by bringing in a
>> >> proposal in which they have met nearly every requirement of the MUTC.
>> >> The proposal meets (or promises to meet), at significant expense, ALL
>> >> of the MUTC requirements except for the very few for which they
>> >> requested a variance (setback from the railroad and building height).
>> >> We could have been involved in negotiations about building materials,
>> >> sidewalk designs, lighting, awnings, hose bibs, HVAC placement,
>> >> parking, landscaping, lot coverage..... but Pete & Sons met all of
>> >> those without any reminders from the committee.  Pete & Sons aren't
>> >> "nickle and diming" us; we should return that favor.
>> >>
>> >>     Alan
>> >>
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>> >
>> 
>
>
>-- 
>Bruce <bruce_md at mac.com>
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