I am writing regarding your story "Project seeks to unite Columbia and Hillman City neighborhoods," Oct. 31. When asked, I offered a lot more information than what made it into the article.
For the Hillman City Business Association (HCBA), the "Gateway" project is not a priority.
First, turned off by the project because of the way our name was used in the grant application without our knowledge, the project focuses on a spot outside of our boundaries and outside the core of Hillman City. As was pointed out to "Gateway" grant writer, Jeremy Valenta, at our July meeting, the area chosen is public property already scheduled for improvements by DESC.
To HCBA members, it makes senses to spend time, energy, and grant funds in a spot not already the responsibility of a developer.
Further, we do not feel the project will do anything to help Hillman City develop its identity, nor, at Rainier Avenue South and 42nd Avenue South, will it do anything to decrease the crime that occurs in the heart of Hillman City.
Obviously a continuous strip, business has existed on Rainier Avenue between Hillman and Columbia City for a long time - I would venture to say that, historically, there has been commercial enterprise on Rainier between the two business districts.
Generally, HCBA supports commercial uses on that stretch of Rainier. However, It is not about connecting the two business districts, but instead about providing further business development for the good of the community.
Columbia City is not big enough to provide all that the community wants and needs in terms of retail and other commercial businesses - this is apparent with folks standing on the corner waiting to go into a restaurant and also when trying to find a place to park.
For these reasons, we asked Bill Hobson of the Downtown Emergency Service Center to include commercial space in his organization's apartment building slated to house the chronically homeless. He agreed and has done so, however we are not sure what "use" will come to the space.
I've suggested Fare Start to Hobson as the perfect partner in the space because they would be on hand to provide on-the-job training to anyone in his facility that is stable enough to participate while providing a service to the community.
Also, the Oct. 31 article misleads when it states that housing for the formerly homeless and chronically mentally ill is responsible for attracting developers to the area.
Denise Gloster, president,
Hillman City Business Association
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