Exactly What the Business District Needs
Dear Editor,
I am pleased to have supported the 600 project from the beginning. This $28 Million project is exactly what the business district needs to spur new growth and revitalization. It will be the largest private investment made in the heart of the city for as long as I can remember and create over $400,000 in new annual tax revenue to support our schools and city services. I am especially proud to have fought for and supported the Mayor’s vision to implement Inclusionary Zoning across the city. Because of this new ordinance, the project will include 13 affordable rate units.
In 2012 I was pleased to support Mayor DeMaria’s linkage fee vision. I knew then as I do now that we needed to start looking at how we bring in smart growth development. This being said making sure our community wouldn’t be left out and left behind. We needed to see these large scale development’s giving back community benefits at the same time lessening the burden on our Schools and Public Safety. Unfortunately at that time the Board of Aldermen didn’t see the importance of this vision. We at that point could have started to make meaningful impact towards affordable housing. Unfortunately we had to wait 4 more years until the Mayor offered another option. I was still fully committed to addressing the affordable housing needs in our city. It’s the reason why I voted in 2016 and 2018 for and amendments to inclusionary zoning.
I want to thank the members of the Board of Appeals. I absolutely believe they did all they could to work between the residents, city and developers. While always having first priority of the resident’s concerns in mind. I am pleased that this opportunity will be developed under John Tocco who has proven to be a dedicated member of our community and I look forward to working with him and his team to reinvigorate our downtown.
Michael J. McLaughlin
Ward Six City Councilor