HomeMy WebLinkAboutBemis 1/22 - Exhibit 21
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A POSITIVE STATEMENT
For City Council Meeting on Jan. 22, 2004 reo Planning Action 2005-127: The Bemis Proiect
SOME NOTGS ON THE SUBJECT
My Fellow Ashlanders - I am opposed the Bemis project as presently presented.
I promised friends I would endeavor to embarrass myself tonite - but I really do not feel in the mood.
We are engaged in a great civil conflict - Let us resolve to rise above any pettiness - this is serious business.
That space upslope from the Ashland Springs Hotel will be developed - the Ouestion is ~ to develop it.
- We need to use Vision and Creativity for the Solutions - A Challenge is directly in our path -
- There are 'tons of brains' here at our disposal - You, the Council, can engage this issue using this power.
- We need to Involve the City/the People/ the Community - and some of those may need to be given a vision of
what is possible for this space. It will be an exciting and frustrating process - but one worthy of the effort.
II have conducte4 a poll; 1)0 one called re&ponded in a positive ~ to the present develoJlll1egt as planned.
The community has not been involved in this process. J
I foresee a need for an Architectural Competition to select final design: The Prize - Your Design will be used. The
architectural finn now involved could be selected as the clearing house. The selection committee would be
composed of Citizens, the Council, and others as needed. This task will take many that are willing and able to think
"out of the box" and not be stifled by hurdles and apparent difficulties.
Create a model addition to our fair City - a design that incorporates the items listed by Ron Roth on Tuesday, Jan.
20 and any others that become obvious. Create a model for all small Cities - -far and wide. (by scope and content
and vision).
I visualize the inclusion - in this space - ofa special unique CITYgallery celebrating Ashland's finest artists and
artisans and permanent displays of the works of such famous Ashland tapestry artists as Helen Wilson.
The present proposal is - in some ways - 'almost' just space 'infill'; of the type that we too often see when we
wake..... a backyard filled with a mansion. The use of this space at First and Hargadine must be fully visionary.
I ask and appeal to all of you to look deeply at this situation and try to find the way to modify this development and
the process of development You can do it. I have presented some thoughts on the differing ways this development
can be viewed. ...
The world will little notice nor remember what we have said here tonite -
But you can be assured your decisions can resound forever - - if bold action with vision and creativity are used.
B. G. Hicks 190 Vista Street
Ashland
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