LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Developer Grant
City $ for Wells Fargo apartment conversion raises questions and ire among residents
(Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed below are the writer’s and not necessarily those of the Williamsburg Independent.)
To The Editor,
Neighborhood disapproval of the Wells Fargo building conversion to MORE units than allowed by the current zoning has been well known by the City. Doling out this substantial grant on this particularly poorly viewed project can be interpreted a few ways:
1. The City has given this money to the developer, hoping the end result will be so absolutely stunning, that even those of us who voiced opposition will be thrilled with the new apartment building, and/or
2. The City has given this money to the developer, without considering the neighbors’ objections to the project.
It is disappointing that this EDA grant wasn’t well-publicized before this project was awarded the money. It is equally disappointing that we neighbors were not told this grant was given, in spite of our concerns, as just the decent thing to do.
We who live on Matoaka Court and nearby neighborhoods have been hoping the City will move its promise to “preserve and protect” our historic neighborhoods, from paper to reality.
There is a house on Matoaka Court that has just come up for sale. We would feel genuinely served by our local government if it would purchase this house for a City teacher, Firefighter, or an EMS professional, with a family and children. This was done before, but it was discontinued because it required too much time, or too much money, or too much staff. Tell that to the City employees who have to commute long distances to get to work. If the City would at least consider resuming this program, then, and only then, will we believe that the City, as an entity, really values us residents and is listening to us.
Ruth Kaiser
West Williamsburg Heights Neighborhood
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