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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The hydrology issue is extremely important to the dozen homes that are directly below Hearst. There are already very significant flooding issues on Springland. Law requires strict water management of any development, including the construction of a pool on public land. I don't live down there but the current plans do include retention ponds to hold water from the field. It remains to be seen if the back of the envelope design is sufficient to retain the run-off.
There is a secondary issue of what needs to be done to stabilize a pool on the field. That will be solved but it will likely be  expensive.

Not a supporter of the pool in part because the project is more complex than supporters admit - especially those mean spirited supporters who don't like to hear alternative view points. I have absolutely no confidence in the city in pulling the construction of the project off in the time frame outlined in the meetings. Just look over at Friendship to see what is likely to happen and nobody is even building a pool over there. And I have absolutely no confidence in DPR to manage and maintain the pool which will be a fenced off eye sore, only available for public use for eight hours a day three months a year. 
As an entire neighborhood, we will be paying a huge price in terms of at least two years and likely many more of construction and loss of access to the field.  It will be expensive for the city - at least $12 million but significant cost overruns are extremely likeley. All of this for reduced public access to approximately half of the currently open, natural field. 
I do think that there is a divide between people who currently know Hearst and love its natural beauty and those who just see it as open space to be developed, layered with concrete, artificial turf and additional fencing.
Mary Cheh denied that she had anything to do with choosing this location. But DPR points the finger directly at her. As public citizens, we deserve to at least know how this choice was made. If the pool is going to be developed, it's important that the process is going to be open. Trying to cover the decision making process with a blanket is bad government and bad politics.  If the pools is going to be built, we at least need to see clearly what we are getting into. 
[/quote]

I really should have read this in total before replying because it is so rich with mis-truths and ill-informed opinions.

1) I addressed the water run off issue. The current plans will be significantly better than current conditions. This is something that needed to be addressed irrespective of a pool. The inclusion of a pool has zero impact on the stormwater management. In fact, in many ways, innovation in sotrmwater management can be incorporated into the pool site to help make it better.

2) The use of a retention pond would be a disaster for Sprngland residents. See Ellicot City as an example for why. Please do not suggest this to the city - they will laugh you and the whole group out of the door.

3) The so called secondary issue is a red-herring as already described. I believe it is a waste of money and energy to pursue this. The field has been in place as is for almost 100 years. There is no significant cracking or shifting of the underlying base. If such were the case, it would be visible to the naked eye.

4) Friendship Park - the project was more complicated because of an unmarked pipe on the base maps. New permits were required, work will resume shortly. If you are trying to equate the "what ifs" of the so called hydrology issue with unmarked pipes on a map from another neighborhood, be my guest to be the worry wort on that one.

5) Fenced off eye sore is subjective - your opinion. You know, there are technologies now that would allow the pool to be covered with a hard, usuable surface for the other 9 months of the year? Why not push DGS into doing that instead of complaining about it.

6) So the complaint about lack of access to the site during renovation is valid. But this is going to be the case regardless of whether there i a pool or not. To address the stormwater run off will take about the same period of time, so may as well install a pool while they are at it.

7) Cost - $12 Million. I have never heard that number floated. But I am glad Ward 3 taxpayers will be getting some investment back into the community that will benefit the residents of the area.

8) The field need not be half the size that it currently is. There were options shown that had a full size field.

9) The field may still be natural grass rather than turf, so there is that too.

10) Re "knowing Hearst" versus those that see it as a development site. I have been using Hearst for decades both with and without kids. It is underused and can be so much more for the community. It is YOUR opinion that the natural beauty should supersede any improvements being proposed.

Mary Cheh said at the meeting that she has had countless people asking her for an outdoor pool in the Ward for the last 10 years. She is listening to those constituents. Hearst is a chosen site because it was up for renovation and can fit the programming. Just because a few dozen nearby residents oppose the pool doesn't mean that the overwhelming majority of her voters don't support it. They (we) do. No apologies, but there are hundreds who have proactively supported a petition for a pool versus the rigged 62 you have in opposition now. Do you really think that there will be hundreds of people supporting your cause?

Get real.

-Signed a neighbor of yours who disagrees with you and the other opponents.[/quote]

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