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6 <br /> Mr. Stratton Salidas, 414 E. Main Street, said that the conditions for the parkway <br />have not been met. He said it would be better to vote for a conservation easement and <br />stop the road. He asked why Council is talking about this before the conditions are met. <br />th <br />He said a 4/5 vote is needed by the Virginia constitution. He said we should make sure <br />the roads gets federal review. <br /> <br /> Ms. Jennifer Connor said she supports many of the points made, and is concerned <br />about the health of the stream. She said she is concerned that the bike/pedestrian bridge <br />has been taken out. She said the City should encourage bicycling. <br /> <br /> Mr. Richard Collins, 108 Wilson Court, asked why this item was put on the <br />agenda unless Council wants to show its cooperation with the County. He said this is not <br />a City versus County issue, it is a growth issue. He said City leadership is needed. He <br />said that those speakers in favor of the parkway speak for businesses, and those opposed <br />represent neighborhoods. He said the parkway and interchange are only separate for a <br />legal issue. He urged Council not to do anything until residents look at all three projects. <br /> <br />th <br /> Mr. Francis Fife, 501 9 Street, S.W. said building of the road is a violation of the <br />spirit of McIntire’s gift to the City, it will cause destruction of a beautiful park, will cause <br />destruction of the Rivanna Trail Foundation trail; will bring more traffic north and south, <br />and will undermine efforts toward development of mass transit. He said it will not add <br />more jobs, parking or affordable housing and will be very expensive. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Salidas, 414 E. Main Street, said we do not need to destroy a park to <br />connect the City and County. He said he is totally against the road. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chad Freckman, 104 Northwood Circle, said Council is talking about <br />alternative transportation yet is building roads. He said the traffic backs up on McIntire <br />Road now, and without the interchange funding the road will fail unless all pieces are in <br />place. <br /> <br /> Mr. Daniel Bluestone, 501 Park Hill, said the Council’s 2006 letter was very clear <br />and we are not there yet with the conditions about the parkland, interchange and bike and <br />pedestrian access. He said people do not know what the interchange will look like. <br /> <br /> Delegate David Toscano, 628 Evergreen Avenue, said that when he was first <br />elected to Council he was an ardent opponent of the parkway. He said he lives <br />downtown and thinks that Council should move forward. He said the road is part of a <br />network of roads, transit and walkways. He said we are not the only players in the game. <br />He said we have to work with Albemarle County on a transit authority. He said people in <br />Richmond might decide to redirect the funding. He said the City and County need to <br />start to build on a grid, and help set the stage for other transportation needs down the <br />road. <br /> <br /> Ms. Barbara Smith, 501 Park Hill, said that just because something is historical, <br />Council should use their own minds. She suggested that the money be given to Northern <br />Virginia for roads. <br /> <br /> A resident of 129 Goodman Street opposed the road because he said it contributes <br />to having to drive around neighborhoods instead of walking around them. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> Dr. Brown said there are two threads: have the conditions been met or do we not <br />move forward at all. He asked for a straw vote from Councilors about whether they agree <br />to move forward if certain conditions are met. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he would if they are all met, but questioned why now. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, and Mr. Taliaferro said they would agree <br />to move forward if certain conditions are met, but Mr. Norris said he would not. <br /> <br /> <br />