consideration - City of Alexandria

that we can't say reach consensus or have a plan that everyone is happy
with, does not make it okay to vote for this plan. Frankly, it is throwing
in the towel.
If zoning changes are not eliminated from this plan, I
will urge all city council members to vote no. I think there is more than
adequate reason to vote against this plan, and hopefully a new plan that
has broader support can be created. It must balance economic needs with
public benefits. This plan is out of balance, mainly because the
development comes first, and then the public amenities will be stretched
out over a 15 year period, and can only be built if all the development
proceeds as proposed. Then, the plan is only revenue nuetral, or only
starts to make a positive return in 30 years, again if everything goes
exactly according to plan. It is a long term bet on short term revenue,
and there has not been a good enough argument that we need this
development
and that development is better than other options.
Lastly, I cannot
neglect the historical signifigance of our waterfront. Not only were the
streets laid out by George Washington, but his boat was built here, he left
to be innaugurated our first president from his hometown. George
Washington saw the Potomac as an integral part of building the Nation.
He
also made sure it was includedin the district of Columbia. The City was
laid out around West Point, where a tobacco taxing wharehouse was
located.
The first Wharf in Alexandria was built at this site, probably in by 1755
when General Braddock's Troops arrived at a the wahrf, according to
historian Ted Pulliam. The streets were laid out around this point.
Currently this site is assessed for around 15 milion, but with rezoning it
would probably be worth 30 million. I only ask that we consider the
benefits not only to Alexandria, but to the Nation that we buy this
property at the current price, protect it from development, and designate
it as the future site of a museum.
There is so much more, and I hope
you will take the time to meet with me, so that we can work together to
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