Letter to the Editor, San Jose Mercury News, published 7/10/08:
Happy Birthday, Arena!
I would like to take exception to some statements in Mark Purdy’s article (7/7/08), where he implied that the nearby residents were a bunch of NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) because they worried about parking on Shasta a mile away or traffic backing up into Willow Glen two miles to the south. That was not the case: representatives from the various Neighborhood Associations worked with the designers and city staff, helping them improve their parking and traffic plans so that people wouldn’t need to park a mile away or be stuck in traffic down to Willow Glen. It was in part because of the community involvement that the Arena has turned out to be the successful project that it is.
Larry Ames, President, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association; www.wgna.net
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Letter to the Editor, San Jose Mercury News, published 7/13/08:
My apologies!
In my Letter to the Editor (7/10/08), I omitted one word: in response to Mark Purdy’s recounting of neighborhood opposition to the Arena, I’d meant to say “that was not *entirely* the case…” Yes, there was political opposition and even some litigation, but I was trying to say that neighborhood participation also made for a better designed Arena.
And with all the high-density in-fill housing taking place today, it’s even more critical that neighborhoods, developers and city staff work together. We recognize that development can be good, if it is done right: provide adequate parking and transportation, save the historic structures that add depth and character to a community, provide parks and trails, shopping and schools, and welcome the new residents to the community.
Larry Ames, President, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association; www.wgna.net