Editor:
Common sense tells us that the city can’t remove 218-plus off-street parking spaces while adding 282-plus new apartments — and their vehicles — without unintended consequences.
A yes vote on Measure F requires off-street parking at current levels, possibly building above these five parking lots, a common practice elsewhere in California. Hundreds of new residents would still park on-street in Old Town/Downtown whether F passes or not since no on-site parking is being required. Imagine the added congestion — the children living there playing in that downtown environment!
A yes Vote on Measure F means the city must rezone the Eureka City Schools vacant Jacobs Middle School property allowing new residential development — ECS benefits with more families, students, a higher sales value and the city gains new property tax revenue.
Measure F offers added residential options, protects our downtown businesses and our tax-reliant city budget to maintain services.
Vote yes on Measure F.
Marian Brady, Eureka
Editor:
I’ve lived in Old Town for over 15 years, and I’m disturbed by the arguments many no on F people make. People really do live, work, and own businesses down here, and the no on F proponents ignore our concerns.
I don’t blame the employees of Security National dreading having to walk several blocks to work if they lose the closest parking lot. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been sworn at, threatened or followed simply by leaving my building and walking a few blocks.
Anyone who thinks those employees won’t have the same thing happen to them is living in fantasyland.
Parking truly is a problem here, especially during Friday Night Market, and the city of Eureka hasn’t encouraged people to walk or bike to Old Town. The buses stop running after 6 p.m., so nobody could take a bus to Friday Night Market even if they wanted.
Lori Brannigan, Eureka
This article appears in Ballot Measure Soup – A look at all those local revenue proposals coming before voters.