Hugh Sisley Properties

On December 15, 2008 the Roosevelt Development Group with their land use expert and their community relations firm hosted a meeting for the Roosevelt and Ravenna Communities. On the table for discussion was the future of the Hugh Sisley properties, in particular the entire block lying immediately south of Roosevelt High School, and also all of the Sisley properties along NE 65^th St and/or along 15^th Ave NE and the Sisley-owned properties abutting them. The RDG (Roosevelt Development Group) currently seems to have leases or options to lease all of these properties for the next 99 years.

At the meeting we heard that the RDG develops land into apartment complexes and in two instances that they mentioned, they have retained ownership of the developments. They have disclosed at the meeting that they plan to apply for a zoning change for the sites in the near future.  One of the first steps in the process will be an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which would cover in detail how the proposed project would affect the community. The residents were told that they would be able to have the ability to seek answers to questions raised but not answered by the study.

Some of the Roosevelt residents had been part of a community development plan for the area that was linked to the rebuilding of the Roosevelt High School. A lot of study and thought went in to that plan and considering it, along with other recent developments, specifically the ballot measure that approved a transit station in the area, should be a part of studying the RDG plan.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 5, 2009 and it is expected that the RDG may have their architect along to possibly answer some questions about the anticipated design of the buildings.

An important consideration for the community is to eliminate the blight that is the current legacy of the property owner. With enough community participation I'm sure we can come up with a plan that most of us will be happy with and proud of.