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Page 1 of 1 Ousley, Mardy From: Randi Iggulden [cyberwife@sbcglobal.net] Wednesday, July 07, 2004 4:10PM Bist, Lisa; Garcia, Mike; Solorio, Jose; Christy, Alberta; Franklin, Brett; Alvarez, Claudia; Pulido, Miguel Subject: More comments about OBP. Sent: To: Another comment on OBP ftom Floral Park Neighborhood Message Board: I will admit that it sounds like the city is really lacking in the inftastructUre planning on this project--at least from what I am seeing discussed here on the board. I am very much in favor of the building, but I think that they need to be more diligent in the actual urban planning. There is no such thing as insunnountable traffic problems. There are many creative ways to make the traffic less of a problem. Just like the ideas of the pedestrian bridges (of course they would need to be ADA, I had no intention of implying that they wouldn't be) --almost everything is possible with planning, time, and MONEY. If the developers really want to pull this off, the city has to put down some rules and tell the developer that we as a city have some needs that must be met in exchange for your big project(this includes OUR little traffic speed bumps! :)). And if these things are done before the construction of the building, it is much more fair for those of us who do live in the inner city. If the traffic, trash, transportation, etc. are done after the building is up, it is pretty miserable. It just takes urban planning. If they do this right it will be a great start to the revitalization of our city. We cannot keep growing out--our sprawl is already sprawled! We now need to go up in density. We do live in the city and it seems selfish to basically say, "ok, I am here, now we are closing the growth off so that it stays just like this forever." We, in Floral Park have done our best and continue to defend the wonderful oasis we have here in the middle of the city. I don't see that changing for a long long time-if ever. But the reality is that we do live in the city-owe do have traffic problems, we do have crime, we do have areas right next door to our oasis that are not that great. We aren't out in Coto De Caza or some other bedroom community where no one knows their neighbor, because they get home ftom work at 10 PM. We will feel the growing pains that cities go through, that is part of city life. The population is growing and there is no way to avoid that. I think that the tax monies that the new businesses bring into our city are also going to be necessary to maintain the services for the ever growing population. We as homeowners certainly cannot pay for the services that will continue to grow--especially with prop 13 in place. And I don't think any of us want that to go away! These kinds ofprojects--OBP and centerline are BIG pictUre kinds of projects that take many many years to complete and more years for the actUal benefits to be evident. The process can be painful, but the needs that will be met for our future population is worthwhile. Portland, Oregon is such a wonderful living study of this idea. They put in growth boundaries and forced the density and businesses to increase in the downtown area. Now 35 years later, the defunct run down downtown is booming. If anyone is interested in really getting into the meat of this idea, read up on Portland and their urban planning. How many blocks is the nearest centerline stop ftom OBP? I was figuring about 6-8 blocks--is that about right? Maybe if people would walk those 6-8 blocks briskly every morning and afternoon, we could start to deal with another problem in this country--obesity! In DC and New York people walk everywhere--they don't even own cars (and they have horrible weather to deal with). We should be pleased to get out in our mild climate, walk, and make a little eye contact with passers by. Driving up and parking in ftont of the building is just not a possibility in the city, that is why blocking off more streets and creating walking streets is another important part of the urban planning. That is why I love to go down to 2nd street and hang out. Walking streets are so friendly and inspire conversations with those you are walking with. If you haven't sat on a bench down there lately--or ever, you must try it. Sit and watch people or read a book. Enjoy the city where you live! As you can see I keep emphasizing the planning. I will send this off to the council members....ARE YOU LISTENING- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN!!! Randi Iggulden 2461 Riverside Drive Santa Ana, CA 92706 7/8/2004 75F-113