Dear Mr. Johnson:

As noted in your editorial of May 16th, ARMC representatives extended area residents an olive branch on last Wednesday by announcing that they would make certain revisions to their long-range expansion plan.  Like you, we commend the decision of ARMC not to purchase any property on the east side of King Avenue and to avoid the destruction of 13 homes impacted by a proposed water retention pond.  These compromises will allow for effective partnering as residents and ARMC officials begin to develop an alternative to the expansion plan first presented to the public on April 14th.

Following Wednesday's meeting, the executive and steering committees of Citizens for Healthy Neighborhoods (CHN) met to discuss ARMC’s proposal to begin work on the first, five-year phase of their plan.   While we appreciate ARMC's desire to move ahead with construction, CHN cannot endorse their proposal.
 
It is important to remember that long-range expansion at ARMC will ultimately follow the path of one master plan.  Actual construction may be completed in 5- or 10-year increments; however, the position and design of later stages of construction will depend upon the precedents set by earlier stages.  For example, at the Wednesday meeting ARMC representatives advocated immediate construction of the 5 floor medical services building proposed in the first stage of their original plan.  We are concerned that the position of the twin tower and parking area that complement this building in the 10-year stage of the plan will no longer be negotiable once construction of the first tower is complete.

As we begin to work with ARMC to develop an alternative plan, CHN favors a quick consensus-building process that will focus first on the earliest stage of construction in order to allow ARMC to proceed close to schedule.  We will then work in good faith with ARMC to further develop the long-range plan.

We are committed to working together with ARMC, but it is premature to consider the bond issue prior to development of a comprehensive plan that balances the need for growth with the preservation of our in-town neighborhoods and quality of life.  Therefore, we respectfully ask that ARMC withdraw or delay the May 18th request for Athens-Clarke County backing of this bond issue.  Interested residents are encouraged to contact their commissioners and attend Tuesday night’s Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Sincerely,
 
 
 

David Lynn, Co-Chair
Citizens for Healthy Neighborhoods