WANTED: Workshop on Jack London Square Redevelopment
Starting next Tuesday there will be a series of public hearings that will shape the future of Jack London Square: Who builds it out, what will be built, when it will be built, where and what kinds of public amenities will provided, what the various components of the project will look like, and who will benefit from it and who will not. Project buildout will affect traffic, parking, air quality, transit, and the economy throughout the Jack London District.

For a list of public meetings, please see the calendar at jacklondondistrict.org.

The approvals required for this project are going to happen very quickly, but so far very little useful information has been disclosed to the public and very little time for public input and comment has been provided. SoNiC feels that a public workshop that was requested by City Council last November should be scheduled so that the project can be presented and discussed publicly in a more relaxed atmosphere. SoNiC also believes that a Design Review Process needs to be established that allows time for public input and comment when the developer can present drawings and models in sufficient detail to allow an understanding of the project by the general public.

SoNiC URGES you to attend some of the public meetings and asks for your help to address the concerns above.

Last night a coalition of concerned citizens met and drafted two petitions that we would like you to sign as soon as possible - they are for the meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Please go see Joanna Adler at Jack London Mail (248 Third Street @ Alice Street across from Prime Smoked Meats) by 6pm today, or from 10a-2p Saturday. If you cannot stop by during these hours, please call her at (510) 893-4100 and schedule an afterhours time for someone to bring you the petition.

This article was written by SoNiC President, Gary Knecht.
Posted 2/20/2004