Developments
Given the narrowness of the Greenway, developments that front on the Greenway can make or break the Greenway experience. Developments that gracefully integrate and have “eyes and ears” on the Greenway make trail users experiences much more pleasant than blank walls and parking garages. Since the first phase was completed in 2000, the Midtown Greenway has been seen by developers as a prime location for residential development. Even with housing market ups and downs, the Coalition has seen a steady stream of development proposals that front on the Greenway.
The Coalition does not endorse particular developments but rather chooses not to oppose and/or offer suggestions for making the development more Greenway friendly. We focus on the impacts that the development will have on the Greenway only and look to the local neighborhood organization to provide input on all other issues such as traffic impacts or the aesthetics of the buildings in question. Over the years, the Coalition has become the ‘go to’ organization that developers and elected officials contact about how a particular development impacts the Greenway. Developers request time on our Land Use and Transportation Committee agenda to present their proposals and hear our feedback. Then, the Coalition drafts a letter or resolution on the development which it sends to the developer, elected officials, and the local neighborhood organization. For larger and more controversial developments, the Board usually passes a resolution on the development while on less controversial developments, we usually only send a letter.
Besides giving input on developments, the Coalition participates in City land use planning efforts, advocates for changes in zoning that will create better developments, and looks at issues which impact the Greenway users experience like conflicts with auto traffic at at-grade trail crossings. We also work with other Coalition committees like the Greenspace Committee to insure that all Coalition interests are represented when talking to developers, etc.
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