Thank you so much for posting this account of the meeting last night, including the photos. I couldn't attend, but am very interested in the process of what's going to happen to EMC.

Ideally, it would be great to have some buildings along Ashland, with at least half of the rest of the three acres devoted to a park for the community. My concern is adding density to our neighborhood.

Realistically, it will need to be paid for. Is this something you solve before you plan your vision for the space–or do you plan your vision, and figure out where the money comes from later?

I can see the attraction to getting people hooked into a dream, to get your way. But we also have to have our vision grounded in a financial foundation.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I appreciate all the Edgewater folks who are putting so much time into moving this forward. Thank you!

I attended and thought it was a great meeting. I like that the community is being granted so much input into the planning process. There were some great ideas presented and some unique options for the site that I had not thought about.
Regarding Emily's comment on the financials – my thought is that you first need a fairly flushed out plan in order to secure funding – I would think that most investors would not write a sizeable check without knowing exactly what they are funding.

@Sally:

So, we shouldn't develop any more green space in the city because it *could* bring gangs and drugs?

You know what else *could* bring gangs and drugs? The apartment building that Waveland has proposed on the site, if they rent to the wrong people; The vacant hospital buildings that are sitting there now.

Eliminating green space seems like the wrong answer to the gang problem to me. I see more positives to having a park than negatives (including giving young people something positive do with their time).

Regarding your second point, I am not quite sure what you are referring to. The park promoters ARE property owners/renters on the blocks adjacent to the proposed park (myself being one of them). Yes, there are a few detractors, but by and large the immediate neighbors are supportive of a park. And the EMC site is currently vacant – there is no one living there to force to move.

@A Neighbor

Why so hostile? Hmmm?

Anyone who purchased a home adjacent to a vacant hospital and parking garage certainly should not be deciding how to spend other people's hard-earned tax dollars.

"Eliminating green space"??? Nobody is taking any green space away. Also, any responsible parent would not let their young children hang out in a park that will most likely be controlled by gang bangers and drug dealers. Be realistic and take your head out of the sand – Every park in Edgewater has a gang problem including the three playlots on Ashland and Bryn Mawr.

Want something positive for your young people to do with their time? Take them to the library, the lakefront, museums, etc. Try spending time with your kids.

Exactly why do you think you have the right to decide what somebody else can do with their own private property? Sounds to me like like you want the rest of us pay for your private agenda.