Based on the information provided to me, I have some concerns, which I hope the council and administration can work together to address before moving forward with the planned improvement in its present form. I am of the view that the council needs to take another look at the plan and have some further discussions with the administration before moving forward. I feel this should be done as a matter of urgency for the following reasons:
- Safety should be the paramount concern and it should drive the decision more than any other consideration.
- Aesthetics should also be a consideration—meaning both the aesthetics of the park and those of the surrounding neighborhood.
We should be very careful not to let the desire to save an $85,000 grant cause us to make a bad decision.
We should not site the facility in a way that would cause neighborhood safety to be in any way compromised.
Placing the structure along the southern border of the park (as currently designed) could obstruct the view of police officers patrolling the neighborhood.
Placing the structure on the southern side might encourage individuals to gather on its northern side, facing the park, out of the view of watchful neighbors and law enforcement; safety would be compromised.
Safety will not be compromised by placing the structure along the fence on the eastern side; this would seem to make the most sense.
The preservation or the enhancement of safety in the neighborhood is more important than saving the grant. Furthermore, another appeal should be made to the state of New Jersey to extend the grant one more time.
The East Sixth Street Block Association voted overwhelmingly at its January 8, 2009 meeting to support the construction of the bathroom facility and field house as one unit and to have it constructed on the eastern perimeter of the park.
I hope that both the council and the administration can work together in collaboration with the neighborhood block association, and with the urgency that is required, to make the right decision in the interest of public safety and in the best interest of the city.
Regards,
Adrian
3 comments:
Just a suggestion. This blog has not been updated for awhile. Since you are a candidate for mayor, perhaps this would be a good venue to discuss your plans for the city on a regular basis so people get to know you.
Also, please present a cohesive vision for this city. One that makes sense and people can relate to. Unity through Growth (or whatever) is not a vision statement. Good luck
Thank you for your commentary on the Bryant Park playground. I am concerned about losing $85,000 grant money but more concerned since I live here about the long term safety of the people who live here. If its safer to redesign and put it on the eastern end, then lets do it. If the administration asks for an extension of the grant deadline, they should be able to get it. The money's already been allocated, this kind of thing happens all the time.
First Adrian I like the issues you are bringing forward in your blog-Keep it up! I think your and the block association's assessment is correct. The structure should be constructed on the eastern perimeter for aesthetics and for clear viewing straight through the park as a safety issue. I'm a police officer in Plainfield and a lifetime resident. Even though I don't live in that particular neighborhood, I know exactly what they're thinking. The park used to be a "problem", but hasn't been for sometime and usually something as simple as the "layout" could invite problems unforseen to the untrained eye. Who knows better than the residents and us as your faithful civil servants.
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