Comments on: Gassed Up and Ready

By: John H

John H — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:13:11 +0000

The neighborhood association has repeatedly referred to it as “contaminated.” Regardless, I’m interested in hearing any creative options for redevelopment of the property. I agree that a TGI Fridays would be out of character in this neighborhood. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that an abandoned scrap yard is representative of what many feel the character of this neighborhood is. Given the choice between the Poe development and ten years of watching the land sit unused, I know which one I prefer.

Now that the Poe deal is off the table, hopefully someone will find a worthwhile use for the land that is more agreeable for all of the residents and homeowners in the neighborhood.

By: john

john — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:31:44 +0000

It is interesting that you say the site is so contaminated that it could never be used for residential development, because the professionals working for the Center For Neighborhoods who developed the Irish Hill Neighborhood Plan disagree. A large portion of their plan called for residential development on the site.

http://www.centerforneighborhoods.org/neighborplanning/irishhill/IH%20Boulevard%20Concept%2011×17.pdf

Luckily, I’m patient and optimistic, and I’m not alone in this. Poe Cos. is a developer who saw a chance to make a buck by sticking a Walgreens and a T.G.I. Fridays on the site, and that would clearly be out of character with the neighborhood. Sure, the site is ugly now, but so was Waterfront Park a few years ago. I would rather look at abandoned warehouses for another decade while waiting for someone to develop the site who cares about Irish Hill than walking past 890 parking spaces and a strip mall every time I go out for a stroll.

By: John H

John H — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:58:54 +0000

I didn’t say Breslin Park was part of the proposal, just another visual landmark/eyesore. What do you think should be done with the River Metals property, and who do you think you can get to pay for it? It’s contaminated and can never be zoned residential.

By: john

john — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:32:09 +0000

Actually I was there. Thanks for asking. However, I’m doubting that you were since you seem to be under the impression that Breslin Park was included in Poe’s propoal.

By: Ann All

Ann All — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:08:16 +0000

I live near Irish Hill. I, too, am disappointed that Poe’s proposals repeatedly got shot down. From what I heard, Poe made an admirable effort to meet environmental folks more than halfway. Yes, it has the potential to be a great urban environment, but it sure as heck isn’t now. Of course, the tanking economy may have had just as much to do with Poe’s decision as neighborhood resistance. Not a great time to be a developer.

By: John H

John H — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:19:08 +0000

RE: Irish Hill

If you recall from the neighborhood association meetings (you went to those, right?), none of the buildings would have been big enough for big box stores.

I personally welcomed the development. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with an abandoned scrap yard and an abandoned swimming pool as the main visual landmarks for anyone traveling through our neighborhood.

By: DB

DB — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:21:51 +0000

Obama must be an oilman. He’s getting rich off of these gas prices.

By: john

john — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:50:40 +0000

anonymous – Since when the development of big box stores and chain restaurants good development in a historic, urban neighborhood?

By: Fishfry

Fishfry — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:11:12 +0000

Overtime is cut everywhere so the police should just stop bitching!

By: Irish Hill homeowner

Irish Hill homeowner — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:21:46 +0000

As a homeowner in the Irish Hill neighborhood, I am outraged that environmentalists succeeded in scaring away a good development that would have increased property values in my neighborhood.

Have you seen Beargrass Creek lately in this neck of the woods? It’s full of trash! At least Poe would have cleaned it up and beautified what is now a blight on the neighborhood.

It’s sad that the IHNA didn’t stand up to these tree-huggers in order to preserve the project.