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11. spatny
    Member

    Two separate issues. The drawing covers the project we get for $536K.

    The tunnel is covered below, separate item, in the article. Originally the idea for the tunnel was contained in the TOD study that was going to include the parking structure on Pine. That "western approach" tunnel would have led right to it from the south side of the tracks. Our infamous area landlord even offered, at one time, to build such an animal if he could run it. The south side of Pine was shown in the TOD to be a site for 4-story condos. Centennial Park became "Plaza" to tie all this together, there was the plan to reduce the park being reduced by 9-10 feet in front of Riverside Garage, the "band shell" and all that.

    I wonder when the price of this project was known, before or after the election. We know the tunnel grant was turned down prior to the vote but just surfaced after. Then this increase shows up after the vote but before this Board leaves office. Things get "curioser and curioser..."

    Posted Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 14:36 #

12. mrt
    Member

    quick question on that tree that was removed from C P--

    spatny, do you mean that a mature tree was removed for a project that was not even officially voted on or approved at the time? Or was it diseased - the tree, not the project?

    Posted Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 15:22 #

13. ChrisHajer
    Member

    http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/centennial-industrial-site-aka-park#post-1839

    Mike Hullihan stated at the time that the Elm was in decline and that the removal of the leaky reservoir deprived the tree of its main source of water.

    That whole thread regarding Centennial Plaza is pretty timely.

    Posted Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 15:37 #

14. CuriousResident
    Member

    I'm no arborist, but aren't there are a lot of large trees in Riverside that live just fine without a 'leaky reservoir as a main water source'?

    And I would think there is a big difference between 'decline' and 'has dutch elm' or 'is structurally damaged'.

    I guess one would have to be familiar with the tree in question to go beyond basic cynicism...

    Posted Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 18:59 #

15. spatny
    Member

    You are absolutely right, CR. At the time the tree was judged as "in decline" the idea of cutting parking spaces into the west side of Centennial was all the vogue. The tree was in the way of that. I suggested a drip water system but away it went. Big trees stand for decades and the only sure death I know is a chain saw. Of course it it is a sick tree and will infect others, or if they judge it to be in danger of falling, it goes. But I don't believe in coincidences. Perhaps few remember but at this time the drawings were showing the cars on East Ave. - both sides of the street, angling in the other direction so the traffic would flow north and exit the "campus" into Forest, if you can imagine that. The southeast point of the park was carved back ten feet and the whole area - streets and all - were designated to be paved with "pavers." No doubt those would have flown through the "Western Approach" tunnel and over to the other side so as to "link" the "campus" with the station area.

    When people catch the bug and want to become "Master Builders" these things have a way of growing beyond any rationale. The money itches to be spent. As I see this project right now, we are going to spend roughly $200K of Village money to get a driveway removed and a landscape job for part of that little park - not all of it. There will also be some new paving, curbs, drainage, etc. but that is stuff a family on a tight budget would not be spending in an unsure economy. So why are we? And why do we find out about these "new" numbers after the election but before this Board departs?

    Perhaps you are right to not believe in the tooth fairy. Especially in Zip 60546.

    Posted Wednesday Apr 29, 2009 19:38 #

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