Election 2011: LeClercq, Smith Sollinger Weigh in on Future of Alexander Lumber Site

What are your specific ideas for the types of development on the former Alexander Lumber site?

 I think we need to be open to all alternatives as they arise.    

As I stated at the Toastmasters’ forum, I will be putting a survey on the Village website, which will ask a series of questions to get the opinions of our residents.  This will include questions on what types of stores or restaurants residents would like to see on Main Street, as well as ideas for the former lumberyard property.  

I will make sure the survey allows not only for development, but also other ideas for this area.  The next step would be for the board to evaluate these responses to see if we should update our downtown plan to align our objectives with the interests of the residents.  

I also think this information would be useful to businesses thinking of locating in downtown, and perhaps some businesses that might not have thought about it would now be more interested.

Everyone agrees that the former Alexander Lumber site needs to be developed. What should go there seems to be a divisive issue.

I do not feel that it would be my job to unilaterally state what should go on that site. I believe that this is an issue that the whole board should discuss,while working with the community to see what the residents would like to see built. Having the community’s input will allow for all opinions to be heard and will allow the board to arrive at the best possible solution for our downtown’s needs.

Even though there were still a number of funding and other issues to be addressed, I liked the idea that was previously proposed for the Alexander Lumber site.

I would like to encouragesome type of mixed used, pedestrian-friendly development, with sufficient parking, retail,service establishments, varied restaurants and entertainment venues and possibly residential living units. The site’s proximity to the park makes it a great location for multiple uses.