1981-06-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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463 downtown parking will be required regardless of the use to which the land is put. Mr. Calvin Roberts of 1206 Belleview Opposed the tax increase because there will he no direct benefits to most taxpayers and other projects are of more pressing importance to the City's citizens. Mr.. Neal Payton of 132 Ivy Drive, an architecture professor at the University of Virginia, asserted that the overall quality of life in the City would improve vastly with the project. He felt it would be critical to improve the physical link between the University and the downtown area through the West Main Street corridor and Vinegar Hill. He said if the taxpayers and City Council declined to-go forward with the project it woule be an indication that they really don't care enough about the vitality and health of the City. Mr. Roger Davis of 1010 Blue Ridge Road, a local business owner, said'this project is the last major hurdle to overcome in the process of revitalizing the downtown area. He said that, unlike some in the audience, he is not yet ready to give up on the City. Mr. Lionel Key of 2315 Price Avenue suggested a referendum on the bond issue before the City commits itself to this public financing. Mr. Michael Ludgate of 1140 Rose Hill Drive said the project was an integral part of the City's maintaining its sense of pride in itself. He said that a group with which he is associated, the Virginia Broadcaster~ Association~ held a recent convention that would have fit perfectly into the Vinegar Hill facility as described in the preliminary design. He felt sure that many other groups thmoughout the state would welcome the opportunity to convene in Charlottesville. Ms. Daisy V. Riggs of 1614 King Mountain Road said the taxpayers are the wrong source of revenue for this type of project. Mr. Jay Levine of 696 Highland Avenue supported the project. He said that something muat be done; if the Vinegar Hill site were attractive enough and financially feasible, a private developer would have grabbed it before now. As it is, the City must demonstrate its willingness to share the risk of such a venture with private capital. He said property taxes will increase anyway, without the project, as the City's tax base erodes further. He felt that the mall's health depends on what investment the City is willing to make in it. Mr. Stan Epstein of 113 Altamont Circle and a local business owner supported the project and said it was short-sighted to see the proposal only~in the short-term.