Meeting Time: November 05, 2020 at 9:00am PST
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Agenda Item

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

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    Kiel LopezSchmidt about 4 years ago

    I grew up at Dudley & Broadway in the Tower District. My mom still lives there. On that block at Broadway & Elizabeth the City of Fresno owns 0.65 acres of Public Facilities zoned land. Over the last 3 years, I have been working with the neighborhood to advocate for, build a public/private partnership, fund raise, and design a neighborhood park. We have engaged over 500 neighbors in the planning. Unfortunately, after a failed 1st application for Prop 68, the City of Fresno stopped collaborating with our neighborhood group and partner non-profit developer Lowell Community Development Corporation.
    Despite our continued efforts, Councilmember Arias and City Manager's office have not responded to our communications in the last 3 months. We wish to continue collaborating to bring the neighborhood a park per the terms of the MOU between Lowell CDC and City of Fresno dated July 25, 2019, File ID 19-1971. We believe this MOU is still enforceable but City of Fresno has not lived up to its side and violated it by listing the property as Surplus Land.
    To continue efforts to deliver a park or affordable housing to the neighborhood, Lowell CDC made an offer to purchase the land per terms of the Surplus Lands Act before expiration of the 60 day period. However, the City of Fresno has made no effort to negotiate in good faith for the purchase of the surplus property for use as park or affordable housing.
    Please work with us.