10-25-2011 CC RPT 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MOVING BALLFIELDS FROM TEQUESQUITE TO THE GOLF COURSE PROPERTY WOULD HELP SAVE THE SANTA AND SUCKER AND KEEP A MORE RURAL PARK WITH A CREEK FOR RESIDENTS WHICH WE CURRENTLY LACK. It would be better if BASEBALL FIELDS were built at this location rather than at Tequesquite Park as Tequesquite is currently a natural area, adjacent to the Santa Ana River, and a place where the City as its ONLY opportunity to restore a creek that a biologist could provide spawning ground for the Santa Ana Sucker, and would provide Riverside citizens a natural creek atmosphere, and more habitat for wildlife like hawks, wherein citizens who rely on public transit and cannot drive to camp elsewhere could come for the day and enjoy a more natural atmosphere. RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL NEEDS TO VOTE FOR BEST INTEREST OF CITIZENS AND TO BENEFIT WHATEVER DEVELPOPERS ARE LINED UP TO BUY GOLF COURSE PROPERTY CHEAP Riverside is rapidly wiping out its open spaces across Riverside and this 126 acre site should be maintained as an open area divided between sports uses, and garden areas, a bit of habitat and natural areas for citizens to enjoy with NO BUSINESSES other than the amenities and parking as needed. Perhaps the old club house could be repurposed and used for community events. Of three properties which makeup the 126 acres the Redevelopment Committee wants to SELL Property B which is 10 acres on the corner of Columbia, and selling property C which is the 53.46 acres directly adjacent to Reid Park. Property A 59.32 acres would be used for the sports fields mention with plans to SELL the balance of the land not needed for soccer fields and community center also sold off. Thereby the redevelopment committee is suggesting selling 63.46 acres outright plus may sell some portion of the remaining 59.32 acres deemed not needed for ball fields. It sounds like the City is already planning to enter a development agreement for Properties for propertied B and C. It seems that the Development Committee and City Council are doing citizens a great disservice by trying to RAISE FUNDS by SELLING OFF half or more of one of the few large park areas in the City of Riverside, and seems to follow the City of Riverside's practice and pattern in recent years of selling off City owned real estate that has been used and is STILL NEEDED by citizens for public use now and into the future. Sadly another large land area AG PARK overlooking the Santa Ana River, which needed some cleanup, was traded away for a lessor property IMO. I think the City has a practice and pattern of selling off Riverside City owned lands cheaply to favored developers and do not put that out to give others fair opportunities to bid. Also all such property is assembled into large parcels to keep out opportunities for local citizens and small businesses. Some of these deals are ones that I believe do not put the property up for public bid and do not provide adequate time for other bidders, not in the in crowd to put together plans for any developments. Again keep the 125 acres in as Riverside City Property and retain it for a variety of public uses under the Riverside Parks. Provide public transit as requested. Use the park for some of the public uses indicated. Karen Doris Wright cc: Mayor City Council City Manager City Attorney Development