Better information for upcoming Marina Study Session

At our January 12 City Council Meeting, the Mayor (unilaterally) laid out his plan for the upcoming January 26 Study Session concerning Marina Redevelopment. I guess this means that your chance for public comment is in the middle?

In September of 2021, I made a detailed proposal for Marina Redevelopment Town Halls, including a virtual rendering (an example of which you can see in that proposal.)

You may not know the term ‘virtual rendering’, but you have all seen something like it, whether you call it ‘CGI’ or ‘animation’. Regardless, it just lets you ‘walk around’ every aspect of the proposal. The idea was to make this a dynamic process. It would be flexible enough to show you all the various options (some of which conflict with one another) and the model would be updated every time the planning changed.

Our Finance Director, mentioned that budget item in his report on ARPA spending, but said that to date no money had been spent. He just said the City was still “coordinating with consultants.” I have no idea what that means.

So, at the end of the January 12 meeting, I asked that the City use some of that money specifically to get the designer (Skylab of Portland, OR) to send us that 3D rendering so that that both the Council and the public could see it at the January 26 meeting. You can see/hear the results for yourself below.

Frankly, I need your help. The City has received over 100 letters objecting to a hotel at the Marina. I’ve received as many at my web site.

But if you want to know why you have not received good information yet about the proposals in play? This interaction says it all. When people on the dais are so misleading? When no one is willing to speak in support of what we already know you want? The only option is for you the public to speak up.

I took the time to make that Marina Redevelopment Town Hall Proposal because even in two years ago I knew what people wanted. I made it specific, because the whole Marina deal is complicated. It’s one of those things where, if you do not spell out what you want to happen you will not get what you want. You may get a substitute (like a Town Hall with no microphone!) but you will not get what you want. And I want you to get what you want.

Again, the January 26 meeting is not an open forum (town hall). It is simply a one-issue City Council Meeting. You cannot assume that meeting will provide the information you have a right to expect  unless the items in that proposal are available before the meeting.

I know this because I have attended all three community meetings concerning the Marina over the past six years (yes, only three in six years). Like the last one on September 27 with no recording and not even a microphone. There has been no mea culpa. No “Yeah, we need to do better next time.” My colleagues could have sent a strong signal that they hear you– simply by voting (after 15 months) to make that happen. They did not. And that also sends a strong signal.

I therefore urge you to the City Council and ask specifically that we implement my Marina Redevelopment Town Hall Proposal, now, and insist that all presentation materials be available in advance of the meeting, including the 3D Rendering we budgeted for in September, 2021.

That will make certain that you have the essential information you need to see and understand what you’re being asked to support for your Marina and your City’s future.

As always, it is my honour to serve you, Des Moines.

—JC