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Subject: FW: West University Park and Housing <br /> Date: Thursday, December 14, 1995 10:13AM <br /> My response to Richey this morning. --John <br /> From: ETTER John F <br /> To: WEINMAN Richie D <br /> Subject: RE: West University Park and Housing <br /> Date: Thursday, December 14, 1995 9:06AM <br /> I support the way you are handling this and the <br /> recommendations. As for other sites, that could replace it, <br /> the good candidate is right across the street on the northwest <br /> corner. It's vacant; it fronts both Hilyard and 14th Avenues, <br /> with paved alley access on a third side. It is better than <br /> the southwest corner ever could have been because northbound <br /> traffic on Hilyard can look into the who site before it <br /> passes. I think any discussion of alternative sites should <br /> list this or others so as to keep the notion of ultimately <br /> replacing the park alive. The development of any site, <br /> however, should wait until we are convinced that the social <br /> phenomenon we are dealing with now becomes managable or <br /> ceases. --John <br /> From: WEINMAN Richie D <br /> To: ETTER John F; MORGAN Dick A <br /> Cc: FARKAS Abe K; DONAHUE Christine; BOWERS Lew C <br /> Subject: West University Park and Housing <br /> Date: Thursday, December 14, 1995 8:05AM <br /> Christine Donahue has been working on this issue. However, <br /> Chris is now on a medical leave until the first of the year so <br /> I am picking up the ball. With this memo I will try to get <br /> up to speed etc. <br /> The primary issue: West University Park is closed. It is a <br /> potential site for low income or specialized housing. This <br /> has been discussed by members of the neighborhood group. I've <br /> directly talked to Shannon McCarthy, Neighborhood Chair. <br /> Shannon is supportive of using the site for housing. Other <br /> neighbors are also supportive. I think is fair to add that <br /> the neighbors are/were united about the need to close the park <br /> and less clear about future uses. The site was originally <br /> purchased with CDBG funds and CDBG funds can also be used for <br /> land acquisition for housing. <br /> Process to make it happen: Administratively the land can be <br /> transferred from one department to another by the City Manager <br /> in the form of a signed memo. Practically speaking, the two <br /> Department Directors (Abe and Chris) need to agree. <br /> Process to make it available for housing: We would treat it <br /> as a landbank site. Development Division would request <br /> proposals for development on the site for public purpose <br /> housing. A citizen committee that included neighbors (Shannon <br /> McCarthy for sure if she is interested) and members of the <br /> Housing Policy Board would review the applications. I expect <br /> two applications, but there could be others. I think St. <br /> Vincent dePaul will make a pitch for moving Phase 2 Amazon <br /> housing units there. I think Mainstream Housing will make a <br /> pitch for a group home for people with developmental <br /> disabilities. Both proposals will have merit, but given the <br /> proximity to the hospital services I'll bet the edge will go <br /> to the group home. <br /> Page 2 <br />