HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2021 Study Session_Item 1_Walbert, Xavina_RedactedFrom:Walbert, Xavina
To:Damon L. Alexander; Public Comments
Subject:01/27/21 -- Study Session -- Agenda Item No. 1
Date:Wednesday, January 27, 2021 3:14:57 PM
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Dear SB City Council,
My name is Xavina (suh-vee-nuh) Walbert and I live in San Bernardino. I am
contacting you today regarding the Carousel Mall development.
Being that I was born and raised in San Bernardino, I am concerned about new and important
developments in the city, especially in terms of the accessibility and amount of community
engagement behind these developments. I believe the community deserves a seat at the table
to navigate the priorities for the downtown development. Issues like lack of affordable
housing, housing for low income and homeless residents, sustainability, and good jobs must be
included in the project.
I ask that you show your support for community benefits to address the issues I mentioned
above. The city's public monies must go into solving the crisis of
unemployment, housing, air pollution, and investment into resources the community has
needed for decades.
Some specific examples of what I mentioned above include:
• Ensuring the communities most affected by the construction and pushed out by noise,
pollution, and property taxes are given first opportunity to purchase homes in the new
development
• More thought around ground traffic (bikes, cars, public transit) and air traffic (drones) and
their accessibility for the disabled as well as sustainability for the wider community
• We need to ensure arts and culture is present. Possibly subsidized housing for an artist
colony to live within the developed area.
City Councilmember, what are you doing to guarantee good jobs, permanently affordable
housing, and environmental sustainability at the Carousel Mall site? I demand that a
community land trust is incorporated into any plan that is proposed to ensure we can house
residents AND cooperative businesses to incorporate sustainability in the long term.
"SB Strong" is a phrase that embodies the togetherness of our community and our collective
perseverance through our troubles. I urge you to please focus on the path that will not only
help San Bernardino persevere through our struggles, but to overcome them and thrive.
Sincerely a concerned citizen and future councilmember,
Xavina Walbert
Ward 7