11/27/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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acquisition of the park land should proceed. She noted the burden on the neighborhood organization because of the lengthy discussions this - park acquisition had produced. She said it was frustrating and difficult to keep people interested because they felt they had made their voice known by voting in favor of the park, and yet the lengthy negotiations resulted in still no park being available. James McCoy, 1190 West 5th, is a Blair resident and Chairperson of the Whiteaker Community Council. He felt there was a need for a park in the Blair neighborhood to make it a nice place for families to 1 i ve . Those speaking against acquisition of the land were as follows: Jack Billings, 2251 Monroe, Attorney representing Mr. Scobert, said the delay over two-and-a-half years had been charged to Mr. Scobert, and he claimed that to be untrue. He felt the City staff had been responsible for the delays. He noted the misconception about the acquisition problem because of encroachment. He had made that informa- tion available in February to the City Manager, and noted the City staff had still done nothing until a few days prior to the trial. Mr. Scobert does not want to sell the property at any price. However, once there was a commitment, Mr. Scobert wanted to proceed as quickly as pOSSible. He said the issue did not include the following: Not. whether a park is a good idea, not whether the Blair neighborhood needs a park, not whether Mr. Scobert will make a profit on the sale. He said the issue is what Mr. Scobert decides to do with his land. The land is very valuable and he felt that to be an important considera- e tion. The value is more than the City can pay for. He said as of May 1978, the Whiteaker neighborhood had less than $85,000 for the land acquisition and development and he noted a recent offer of $95,000 just for the property. Mayor Keller interrupted Mr. Billings requesting him not to discuss prices. He noted Council could not discuss that issue unless it were in Executive Session. Mr. Billings continued, that in addition to the cost of the purchase price, the City will have additional court costs and development costs. He also questioned the use of contingency funds to purchase park property. He said he had tried to describe to the Council a proposal for development that will benefit the neighborhood. Mr. Scobert would be considering a multi-unit project in that area which would be a higher and best use of the land. He asked Council to consider what the City has offered Mr. Scobert in price, and felt the staff was trying to take the land from Mr. Scobert at an unrealistic price. He said the lot was too small for a good park site. Further, he said people in the immediate Blair neighborhood do not want a park, and submitted a petition with 140 names indicating opposition. He noted the persons representing Whiteaker Community Council do not live near the Blair neighborhood and would not be affected by the park. - 11/27/78--8 150