Wizer Block Debate Keeps Churning Out Citizen Discontent.

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the public continued its open debate on the redevelopment of the Wizer Block,   It seems citizens are actively engaged over the historically slow summer period.    The LO Review included many letters describing individual views on the proposed development.  

Its becoming increasingly apparent that the development may play a substantial role in the election this November.    Even local developers are coming out against the project as being too big for the neighborhood and the city.   This article provides some perspective on this trend Shifting Vision. This comes on the heels of an earlier article written by Barry Cain who developed Lake View Village and is now working on the Kruse Village development.    In his article Design a Project That Fits he outlines some concerns about the proposed project.

Its interesting that two developers who have done substantial work in the community are publicly expressing some concerns about the size of the project and its impact on the community and the Village concept.  While these views don't represent all of the community they certainly represent an informed view from those that have actually completed projects which many believe have defined Lake Oswego.  

Several citizen articles discuss concerns about the project:

Parking & Traffic
Values Versus Money
Here We Go


While others refute many of the claims being made:

Big Box Myth
New Beginning?

There are also mixed opinions in Readers Letters.  

So its clear no matter what position the DRC and City Council take they will offend a significant portion of the population in Lake Oswego.    It will be interesting to see the positions of the candidates this fall on the Wizer development as they will have a profound impact on the outcome it now appears.  

While COLA Members strongly support property rights its clear this development has the community deeply engaged and concerned.   Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.