“Strange,” “bizarre,” “insulting” and “offensive” were just a few of the descriptions residents used Tuesday to describe the way the city of Durango handled proposals for a vacant parking lot at 1917 East Third Ave. near Durango Public Library.
Residents are angry with the city for not including them in conversations about three proposals considered for development of the parking lot and selecting a proposal to move forward with before residents had a chance to weigh in.
In June, Durango Community Development Director Scott Shine announced the city issued an intent to award Tri-County Head Start, Reynolds Ash + Associates, Agave Group and a private property owner a project to turn the lot into a new site for Head Start. The proposal also included new workforce housing at Head Start’s current address at 2019 East Third Ave. just across the street.
Shine said at a public meeting about the project Monday that the city is in the early process and many details still must be worked out, and residents still have ample opportunity to voice their concerns and make suggestions.
But East Third Avenue residents and frequent users of the Durango Public Library came out in force Tuesday to urge Durango City Council to table the introduction of an ordinance regarding a lease between the city and Tri-County Head Start.
Residents said they felt “left in the dark” about the proposed project and it feels like the city is trying to shove the project forward regardless of pushback.
One key issue residents took with the city’s apparent readiness to award the project to Head Start, the architect and the developer is it essentially contains two projects within one bid. Per the proposal, the construction of a new building for Head Start is one phase. The building of up to about two dozen workforce housing units is a second phase.
Resident and Library Neighborhood Association member Kelly Haun said as much in a public comment addressed to City Council at the Tuesday meeting.
“The city has not been transparent nor provided the neighborhood with ample time and information or proper engagement to provide input on development in this unique area,” she said.
She said the city’s request for proposals was issued in February and addressed the parking lot at 1917 East Third Ave. It did not mention development of 2019 East Third Ave., the proposed site of new workforce housing where Head Start presently resides.
Therefore, the proposal in question does not comply with the city’s original request for proposals, she said.
“If the city intended on two separate projects, it should be included as two separate formal processes where the local neighborhood and community at large should be included in the process,” she said. “One lot, one proposal. Two lots, two proposals.”
Resident Jackie Bonnano said she and other residents near the library and proposed building sites were blindsided when they learned the proposal included the second workforce housing development phase.
She said when she built a garage, the process required a posted notice outside her home and mailers sent to every residence within a certain radius. She said the same process should be followed in this case.
The city did send notices to some residents, as others pointed out, but a significant number of neighbors never received notices or were otherwise unaware of the proposal until this week.
The city held a public meeting in December to announce its intent to issue a request for proposals, and issued the request in February. The request for proposals remained open through late May, according to city staff.
An ordinance for a lease agreement between the city and Head Start for the 1917 East Third Ave. parking lot was on City Council’s agenda Tuesday. But the legislation was tabled after it nearly died on the floor due to an initial divide among councilors about how to proceed.
Introduction of the ordinance was ultimately tabled until the council’s Aug. 20 meeting, five days after another public meeting about the Head Start proposal is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Durango Public Library.
City Council heard from about 10 residents Tuesday, many of whom did not mince words describing their discontent with how the proposal process has played out.
On Thursday, councilors told The Durango Herald they are glad residents voiced their concerns.
Councilor Gilda Yazzie, who also attended the public meeting on Monday, said residents have a valid point when they say they want to be involved earlier in city processes. It’s not just the Head Start and workforce housing proposal residents have voiced concerns to her about, either.
“Through most of the meetings I’ve been to, that is the major point. That people feel like they haven’t been communicated with by the city,” she said.
She said residents need to understand the Head Start project is in its beginning stages, but also, residents have a valid point about not feeling heard and wanting to be included in discussions.
Councilor Melissa Youssef said she was disappointed throughout the meeting because the project appeared like it may fall through despite the city’s commitment to increasing its workforce housing supply and addressing early child care needs.
“I would have been very disappointing to see this project not be able to move forward because of processes around council,” she said.
She said if the project were to go under because the community doesn’t want it, that’s one thing, but if it were to fall apart because of council processes, she’d be disappointed.
Youssef, other councilors and city staff walked away from the City Council meeting wondering how they can improve public engagement, she said.
“These opportunities, when they present themselves, give both council and staff better opportunities to see where we may be falling short,” Councilor Dave Woodruff said.
He said the city can use this as an opportunity to improve its communication and engagement process.
City Manager José Madrigal said the request for proposals issued in February was centered around the 1917 East Third Ave. lot. But the Head Start proposal it received met its minimum standards and went beyond them with the workforce housing component.
Workforce housing is a top concern for the city because it’s a top concern for residents, he said.
He pointed to the city’s 2023 National Community Survey, which indicated only 12% of respondents consider the variety of housing options in the city excellent or good, and just 3% of respondents consider the availability of affordable-quality housing as excellent or good. Likewise, 12% of respondents rated availability of affordable child care and preschool to be excellent or good.
Madrigal said the city took residents’ concerns they were patronized, talked “at” or told why the proposed project is good for them to heart.
“It did seem that it came across as us trying to say, ‘This is a good thing for you,’ instead of it being, ‘Tell us your concerns,’” he said.
The public meeting on Aug. 15 at the parking lot near the library will have a much different format, he said.
Mayor Jessika Buell, who was absent from the City Council meeting Tuesday because of a family matter, and possibly other councilors will attend the meeting to hear from residents firsthand, he said.
He said for the first 20 or so minutes, the mayor will listen to residents’ concerns. Following that, the mayor will walk the neighborhood with residents. The opportunity will allow residents to point at the properties in question and have an open discussion with city officials.
On Friday, the city said in a news release the meeting on Aug. 15 will take place at the parking lot at 1917 East Third Ave.
cburney@durangoherald.com
