Remember the proposal last year for the big Eckerds drug store to replace Watson's? Thought it was dead? Think again. Its back. The board met last Monday with representatives of CVS (another chain)regarding their proposal to rezone mid block properties on 8th and 9th avenues N.so that they can be combined with Watson's site to build a large chain store. This scheme will be presented this Monday May 15th at the general Northshore meeting, and then, SURPRISE, the zoning hearing will be held Tues. May 16th at 4 PM at City Hall. Fast action huh? Why the rush to push this through? Well, people are sick of Watson's, or rather, of the crowd that hangs out at Watson''s.They think that by getting rid of the building they'll get rid of the people. It won''t happen. Social problems aren't solved that easily. What will we gain by allowing this chain to build in our neighborhood? TRAFFIC! The entrance and exit to the parking lot will be on 8th and 9th Aves N.,resulting in more traffic through our neighborhood. We'll also set a DANGEROUS PRECEDENT. This building and its parking lot will bring commercial usage 250 ft. back from 4th St.(The Northshore plan calls for a limit of 150 ft), making it difficult for the rest of the block to develop as a buffer between the commercial district on 4th St, and the single family homes east of Third St. If it can happen on this block, it can potentially happen anywhere along the 4th St. corridor. What will we lose if CVS is allowed to build on this site? We will lose the opportunity for this stretch of 4th St to develop as a strolling/shopping district of small stores and cafe's. We also lose a historically significant building at 323 8th Ave N., which will have to be razed to make way for the CVS store. It seems ludicrous for us to talk on one hand about becoming an historic district, and then on the other,to be willing to sacrifice a part of our architectural heritage for the parking lot of a chain store. The rush to embrace this project reminds me of the way the city jumped for Palm Springs Development's townhouse project. Look how that turned out. Quick fixes last a long time.We need to think not only of today and tomorrow when we plan for our neighborhood, but 20 and 50 years hence. Do you want a chain store with its huge parking lot on Watson's site in perpetuity? I don't.My name is Mark Woodley. Call me at 894-5028 if you'd like to oppose this boondoggle.
By mark woodley
By mark woodley
