Whew! Even a
”
disingenuous
”
last-ditch effort to derail Measure A couldn’t stop the effort
to help revitalize downtown Morgan Hill.
Last-ditch effort to derail Measure A proves unsuccessful
Whew!
Even a “disingenuous” last-ditch effort to derail Measure A couldn’t stop the effort to help revitalize downtown Morgan Hill.
The measure, which will allow the development of 500 housing units downtown without increasing the city’s population cap of 48,000 by 2020, overwhelmingly passed, with 59 percent casting “yes” votes. So while last November’s Measure H – a similar effort – failed by 10 votes, this year’s effort included a campaign that raised more than $12,000 and convinced 2,858 voters. It won by 854 votes.
Political discourse is healthy, but it needs to be done with the facts
“Save the Granada. No on A,” read the signs which were about two square feet in size, and said in smaller type across the bottom, “www.savethegranada.com.”
It is commendable that residents step up and take an active role in the Democratic process, but that last-ditch effort tried to link the passage of Measure A with the destruction of the old Granada Theater, was a blatant lie. There is no correlation whatsoever between the two. Whether Measure A passed or failed, the Granada is coming down, eventually.
“If Measure A passes, the logical end is that the Granada will be torn down,” said Pamela Meador, who organized the the anti-Measure A campaign. “We’re not against redevelopment, and we’re not against housing. We are only against having a downtown that does not preserve the Granada in its present location and its present state.”
Though the old theater will be demolished, attempts will – and should – be made to save the facade. The building is old, in need of repairs and seismic upgrades. A new building makes sense, and at some point the city, which owns the building, will sell it to a developer for a mixed-use project. A new, second-story theater, is planned to be built a block south. And if negotiations progress, CineLux owner Paul Gunsky will operate the new theater.
Now the difficult part begins and the city needs to be proactive
So the voters have spoken. Measure A is the linchpin of the city’s Downtown Specific Plan, the vision of a bustling downtown that includes mixed-use housing with retail or offices on the ground floor, residences above. It is a model that has proven successful in many other cities. Downtowns are healthier when diverse.
Now, it’s up to the city to find developers willing and able to take on such a project. Prove that the time and money spent were worth it. Prove you have a plan. It will take time, but the momentum has been built. Keep the ball rolling.
Questions, concerns? Contact City Manager Ed Tewes at 779-7271 or at ci*********@***********ca.gov.
