I felt it prudent to put out a statement before tonight’s City Council meeting.
First thanks for the wellspring of support and love that has come our way over the last week. We have been very inspired by the overwhelming good feeling that has come our way.
I’ve been asked to clarify our position regarding being invited into the new commercial space on this block, and on the “assistance” offered by Allen homes inc.
The zoning vote on the Northside is the key, I feel, to affecting the city’s input.
For us it’s less about zoning than about how this decision was presented. The lack of communication, the short notice (after verbal assurances of more notice), the refusal to AT ANY TIME engage us in a dialog, any brainstorming. Flat out refusal to give us two more weeks to get a Valentine’s Day in.
Legally, Allen Homes Inc couldn’t have done less for us. At no time during the termination meeting was us leasing the new property discussed. Fact. At no time since has it been discussed. I sent Mr. Allen an email on November 20 with questions and never received a reply. I emailed Mr. Kaut on December 23 and never received a reply.
I feel it is of ultimate importance, though, that we avoid attacking anyone personally, and we must avoid assuming a motive on anyone’s part. It will only serve us to keep to the actions performed by people, not the people themselves. We must offer specific examples of what we don’t like, and specific examples of what we do like. I cannot condone vitriolic emails or phone calls to anyone involved in this.
Mr. Allen told me straight up at the termination meeting that the demolition was ALREADY SCHEDULED. All “assistance” has been asked for, not offered. Mr. Kaut even forgot to bring the photocopied sheets of available properties to our termination meeting. He had to go to his car to get them. Hardly inspiring from your prospective landlord/realtor that he remembers the termination papers, but forgets the available properties sheets. The only “assistance”, being offered is (half-heartedly) finding a property, and, presumably, taking a cut. Mr. Allen did offer some employees to help haul gear out, but the demolition being scheduled so soon even puts that offer into question.
We had some verbal assurances from Allen Homes last year, but they came transformed into something else in print. I now have, via the press, a verbal assurance of space in the new property, but nothing written. I simply cannot trust it after our termination meeting. If somebody wanted whole first floor, where would that put us?
We are continuing to explore all options as regards the future of the restaurant.
I encourage citizens to voice their opinions about zoning and all other matters and feel very inspired to have been part of this massive wellspring of public opinion and, again, thanks so much for the support from the community.
~D
