2008 Woodie Awards
Three bids presented for Twin Oaks demolition, reconstruction
Danny Mathis
Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 3 next >
|
Of the four bids, one was found unacceptable; only three were presented at a Jan. 18 meeting.
The meeting included many individuals from varying backgrounds and viewpoints. Some were present because of an obligation to a neighborhood, some were business owners and some were simply there because of a love for the area and a desire not see the project messed up.
As they listened intently to the presentation, guests were treated to pizza from local shop Pizza 51.
"I'm surprised they received any proposals," said Donna Kerr, who represents the South Plaza Neighborhood. Among her chief concerns was the huge cost that will go into both the demolition and construction of the area. She is skeptical of whoever takes on this task and their ability to turn a profit from it.
The three bids were unveiled with rough designs prepared by the developers.
Allen & O'Hara of the Highwoods Properties, Capstone Development of Opus Northwest, and Place Properties of DST Realty all had different ideas for the construction of the Twin Oaks area. Some proposals were met with more skepticism than others.
For Keith Spare, president of the South Plaza Neighborhood Association, the Trolley Track Trail and student safety were big concerns.
"The Trolley Track Trail is the interface between the University and the community on the west side," he said. "The concern I still see for the students, which is huge, is their safety. For many of them they [development proposals] still show traffic through the middle of what is currently Twin Oaks and up the hill where there is no stoplight, and it's incredibly unsafe."
Spare was unimpressed with the architecture of the designs.
"I'm not sure if any of the housing structures [proposed] look like an architect is going to drive across country to see it... and I think that's kind of a sadness as well," said Spare. "It would be nice if it was something that just living there made people feel proud."
