(July 13, 2003) -- Northeast section of Scherer Park, now the North Division police facility construction site, viewed looking northward paralleling Atlantic Ave., July 13, 2003. Photo was shot through chain link fence near south pathway.
Below, area as it appeared in March 2002 looking south and east:
Over the objections of park protection advocates (who proposed alternative sites) but with support from many 8th and 9th district residents, the City Council rezoned this portion of Scherer Park from park to institutional use to accommodate an enlarged, permanent north division police facility. The police facility is expected to be completed in roughly May 2004. City Hall has pledged to convert former industrial land on 55th Way to a park with roughly twice the lost park acreage.
When seeking public support for the Scherer Park site, city management said it could build the North Division police facility using budgeted general fund revenue or bonds. After City Hall had defeated court challenges, city management announced there was no available general fund money...and bond money wasn't available...so City Hall sought to take North Redevelopment Project Area money to build the police facility.
The North Redevelopment Project Area Committee wasn't pleased with this...but didn't vote against it.
Shortly thereafter, city management announced that it favors merging all LB Redevelopment Project Areas, a proposal now pending.