WTCA Bridge Rally

[James Wamsley]

Some more "Bridge" information.

>X-Originating-IP: [149.32.90.146]
>From: "wtca alexandria" <wtca_alex_va at hotmail.com>
>To: billclev at home.com
>Cc: wmeuille at tidalwave.net, delpepper at aol.com, mayoralx at aol.com,
>  lowalker at aol.com, lonnierich at aol.com
>Subject: Re: WTCA Bridge Rally
>Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 13:15:01 EST
>
>Thank you for responding so quickly.  Ms. Whitmore & I have been trading 
>phone msgs this morning, & if the bridge situation is still an issue by 
>April 19th, I'm sure the civic association will reschedule our current 
>speaker & dedicate our entire agenda to the bridge issue.  We meet the 3rd 
>Wed of the month, Patrick Henry Elem School, 4643 Taney Ave, 7:30 - 9 pm.  I 
>also understand that Ms. Whitmore is going to address the Holmes Run Park 
>Committee meeting, this coming Thursday, April 6, 7 pm at the Beatley 
>Library.
>
>One of our major objections is the fact that the HRPC "hand selected" the 
>site of the bridge, without EVER consulting the residents of the 4500 block 
>of Holmes Run Parkway.  During these initial meetings, we were part of the 
>defunct Strawberry Hill Civic Association.  (I have lived in the 
>neighborhood since 1991 & NEVER received any communication from Strawberry 
>Hill CA.)  For a group of citizens that live NORTH of Duke St, to decide for 
>residents that live SOUTH of Duke St. strikes me as odd.  I'm sure the 
>bridge Ben Brenman envisioned was a footpath, not the structure currently on 
>the site.
>
>As for Ms. Whitmore's comment, during this past council meeting, that 
>citizen review was available, I am at a complete loss about receiving any 
>type of notification.  When I spoke at the winter hearing (Feb 9?)
>for District 3 Parks & Rec, I asked Ms. Whitmore didn't the city have to go 
>through the same notification procedure as commercial ventures, when 
>adjoining land owners were notified about zoning procedures.  Her answer was 
>"no," Parks & Rec can do whatever needs to be done without citizen review.  
>When I stated we were concerned about the location of the bridge, that it 
>was right in the middle of an existing open space, she said the pylons were 
>a "done deal."  Little did we know that the bridge was much more than a 
>footpath.
>
>So the neighbors are upset, and wonder why the needs of a new development 
>(Cameron Station) supersede property owners who have lived in the 
>neighborhood long term.  One resident of Holmes Run has owned his home since 
>1965.  These are questions I don't have the answers to, & I hope some 
>knowledgeable city officials will be able to tell us some answers at the 
>bridge tomorrow, around 2 pm.  If we don't get answers, we'll keep meeting 
>until this issue is resolved.
>
>Thank you once again for your prompt reply.
>
>Elizabeth Wright
>co-chair, WTCA
>
>
>From: DSpeck at aol.com
>To: wtca_alex_va at hotmail.com
>Subject: Re: WTCA Bridge Rally
>Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 22:28:29 EST
>
>I regret that I am already committed to be at another event, but I hope you
>will keep me informed of your concerns.  I met with the City Manager this
>evening, and received an extensive briefing on the history, engineering and
>design, and I am happy to discuss this further if you desire.
>David Speck
>
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>
Jim Wamsley
jwams at erols.com