Back in July 2018, when the Common Council amended the city's zoning to accommodate Stewart's plans for expansion at the corner of Green Street and Fairview Avenue, it was the expectation that Stewart's would provide the money needed to finance improvements to the intersection, for the safety of pedestrians and drivers, in a host community benefit agreement. In May 2019, the terms of the agreement were presented to the Common Council. The City would receive $200,000 from Stewart's to compensate for the impacts of the project on the community: $135,000 to $140,000 to be used for improvements to the intersection to enhance pedestrian access; the remainder--$60,000 to $65,000--to be used for planning and zoning studies.
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So without any plans or specs whatever the City accepted a number that Stewart's basically pulled out of its ass, and now that we (allegedly) have plans (or something) that imaginary number turns out to be more than 200K short. Well thank our lucky stars we got one selection of vegan ice cream and free air for our tires.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what the negative impact to the community is that they are paying $200K for, more coffee options? The place looks better and is more open and much safer with better visibility than the cramped old Stewarts that was there before. I'd plant a couple of trees and put all that money into the general fund to reduce the tax burden. Spend.. spend.. spend... seems to be all people do these days.
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