Silly, I know, but for those of us on the sidelines, this is like the superbowl.
EDGEWATER: IT’S DO OR DIE TIME
Geek Alert: I am just dying to hear the economic hardship argument and how they wade through the legal requirements of the ordinance. I’m sure there will be new information presented tonight. I tried to get it out of Dunn, but he was holding his cards close to the vest. I’m bummed I’ll be at a board meeting working on the 2010 budget and trying to save WYOU instead of hearing it first hand. (No, I won’t be at Dusty’s party . . . but I wish I was . . . ) I will have it Tivo’d and will have to likely watch the performance after the meeting. I hope Dunn/Edgewater et al explicitly address the ordinance requirements and make their argument and don’t just stand up there and say “jobs” and “good for the economy and neighborhood”. Truth be told, I think its exciting to see redevelopment of this property. I was initially for the concept of a project when the Mayor was still against because “Fred Mohs would never let it happen”. It’s my dirty little secret. I think somewhere, there is a project that even I could approve and I actually kind of enjoyed working with Dunn and Supple one on one. I wish there would have been better leadership to help get this project to a point where it might be approved – I just don’t think it is there yet. And I wish the Edgewater folks and the Mayor hadn’t made such awful mis-steps along the way. I’m just bummed about the way this all unfolded and I REALLY don’t want this project to destroy the landmarks ordinance and the council’s credibility/integrity in the process. I have alot of respect for a few of the members of the council and I hope they do the right thing, or Dunn et al gives them the tools to justify their votes. But, I still haven’t been convinced and can’t see how it will happen. I’ll be watching closely this evening. And, if it doesn’t work out . . . there’s always East Washington!
[Important note: Dunn said he’d buy me dinner if I said something nice about the project in my blog. So, nothing I said above should be considered as being “nice.” :)]
THE REST OF THE STORY
This website made the rounds yesterday. The best endorsement of it tho, has to be this one from the former Landmarks’ staff (for 30 years!) to the alders:
This site explains why you should not overturn the Landmarks Commissions decision:
http://sites.google.com/site/edgewatertherestofthestory2/home
Thank you,
Kitty Rankin
MORE ON THE EDGEWATER
Mayor Dave jumps the shark. That was my assessment as well. Although I personally found that he crossed the line long ago, it seems many are now taking note.
This response from Mayor Dave caused me to post this on my facebook:
Is Mayor Dave trying to write the RTA opposition’s lit piece for them? Can someone get him to shut up? You can make alot of arguments for and against the Edgewater, but does “handful of unelected people” not being transparent and accountable have to be one of them? Come on Mayor Dave, you’re smarter than that – think… about the RTA and how important it is!!!
He’s just being reckless now. It’s killing me. I wish he’d see the damage he is doing in the bigger picture. Or, if he does and doesn’t care, I’m even more concerned.
More harsh words for Mayor Dave, and a challenge to the council.
Cnare vs. Bruer! I so wish she had run for Council leadership. I think she’d be much better and less likely to blindly do the Mayor’s bidding.
OH BARF
What story lately doesn’t say Mayor has an idea, Bruer thinks its great. And of course, staff say “yeah, but give us more money and we could do better”. People, its Wisconsin, it snows here, this isn’t news. Why is this such a problem? Does it take a study to figure it out. The Mayor has it figured out, he already apologized – he made a bad decision.
THOUGHTS?
People have been really helpful since I posted the “porch issue” yesterday in my round up. A particularly wonderful and helpful person sent me this. What do you think? Rob had a few other more creative ideas, and we’re still wondering why we aren’t grandfathered in. Several people commented that if I was in a Historic District I wouldn’t be allowed to change it.
Still looking at all our options.
I have more, but . . . gotta get some work done. More tomorrow if I have time after the marathon meeting.
