1981-06-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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46.4 Ms. Ann Keith of 1623 Trailridge Road suggested that Council fund necessary school projects firstl if these were to_.be done fund necessary school projects first if these were to be done, she could feel comfortable supporting the Vinegar Hill project. Ms. Paula Carter, executive director of Downtown Charlottesville, Inc., said that the project had the support of DCI. Mr. W.B. Downer, a local basiness owner, said the Vinegar Hill project is the capstone of previous efforts to revitalize the downtown area. Mr. Benton Downer, chairman of the development committee of Downtown Charlottesville, Inc., supported the project. Mr. Francis Lawrence of 1729 Chesapeake Street supported the proj~Dct as a homeowner and taxpayer. He felt higher taxes are inevitable and should be splH~t on a positive project such as this that would bring benefits to the City. He pointed out that parking will be needed anyway in the downtown area and this project is just the final step towards a healthy downtown mall. Mr. Fred Patrick of 223 Monte Vista said that, if waste in the local government and its management .were eliminated, there would be no need for a tax increase to support the project. He said the majority of those supporting it will benefit directly from it, unlike the majority of taxpayers who will be paying for it. Mr. Bill Edwards of Bill Edwards Oldsmobile Corporation said he knows the value of a vital downtown area. He urged support of the project and the public financing. Mr. Robert Buford of the Locust Grove Neighborhood Association and a resident at 607 Lexington Avenue said that he personally supports the proposal but reminded Council of th~any retir&d taxpayers on fixed incomes who will not benefit directly from the project and don't wish to pay for it. Mr. Bill Harris of 485 14th Street said that the Industrial Development Authority, of which he is a member, has already approved IDA bonds to finance the private portion of the project. He approves the concept of the project but cannot support the public financing of it, as the hardships this will work will be borne mainly by the poor, the working people and the elderly. Mr. Thomas McGee of 1207 Hazel Street opposed the project. He said the mall didn't solve the problems of the::d0wntown~area and he doesn't see any reason to believe that this projec~ will either. He said the taxpayers have been whipped too often. Ms. Nancy Beaslee of 1120 E. Jefferson Street opposed the tax increase. She said school improvements should come before this priority. She suggested that the City use the personal property tax to fund the project and license bicycles and cats as further source of revenue. Mr. Charles Kabash of 422 North 1st Street and a local business owner favored the project. He said Charlottesville needs a good convention center and a healthy economy. He recognized that Council's decision to support the project would be an extremely unpopular