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Politics & Government

Residents Continue to Speak Against Plummer Park Redesign

A half-dozen residents came to speak during public comment time at Wednesday's Transportation Commission meeting, voicing their opposition to the renovations that would see the majority of the park closed for two years starting in early 2012.

The city intends to hold more meetings before going ahead with a plan for a that would close the park for two years, says a city official.

Community Development Director Anne McIntosh made that announcement Wednesday night at a joint session of the Transportation and Planning commissions.

“There has been an awareness that there are a number of people concerned,” said McIntosh. “We will not be moving forward without more discussion.”

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McIntosh’s announcement came after a half-dozen people spoke against the plan during the public comment period of the meeting. Plummer Park was not on the commission’s agenda, so commissioners were not allowed to discuss the park during the meeting.

However, McIntosh wanted to assure the commissioners the city was responding to the growing anger in the community.

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A specifically to discuss the park overhaul attracted about 175 upset residents. saw about 20 people speak against the plan during the public comment period.

A majority of Plummer Park would be closed for two years beginning in early 2012 while a $10 million, 179-space underground parking garage is constructed in the central portion of the park.

As a result of digging the garage, Great Hall, Long Hall and the Tiny Tots preschool building would all be demolished. The dig would also mean that most of the trees in the center of the park would be removed during construction.

Additionally, the park’s master plan calls for Fiesta Hall to be remodeled into a state-of-the-art performing arts center and a new playground area to be built.

Vista Street resident Stephanie Harker, who is leading the opposition, told Weho Patch area residents intend to continue showing up at city meetings to protest the park closure until the city agrees to stop the plan.

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