Parking lot plans - 9 September event

D.R. BRYAN and others are supposed to share with us their current plans for the parking lot in front of Weaver Street Market. This provides a little background, but it is poorly written and does not make clear that the filing with the Town will include both options - an hotel and condos. Rosemary WALDORF, the former Chapel Hill mayor who now does public relations for D.R. and company, told me this in response to an e-mail question. They seem to be preserving most all of their options.

Although I doubt I will be there, here are a few things I would like to see discussed and posted afterwards for those who cannot attend:

+ What is the current economic health of the businesses in Southern Village? How does their current situation compare with the past, and what are the projections for the future? What have "we" learned from those businesses that have closed? What are "we" learning from those who continue?

+ Why is the building out on the other side of 15-501 at the south entrance to Southern Village still vacant? Does that tell "us" something that we need to know in reaction to the BRYAN et al proposal?

+ What specific businesses have said they will consider locating in the new structure - hotels and other businesses? If unable to do that with specificity, then what are the data that would convince businesses - by type of business - that they ought to consider locating in Southern Village.

Unless we know this, our uninformed advice on hot topic issues like security and convenience -- as was the case at the last meeting on this subject - is of limited value to us or to the developers.

I urge BRYAN & company to share answers to these questions in advance of the meeting. If for some unimaginable reason, that cannot be done - even superficially - then do it at the 9 September meeting and post it on the SouthernVillage.org site.