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April 20, 2021 Cypress Fire Station Correspondence 2021-2017 11 <br /> <br />SAVE THE HISTORIC CYPRESS STREET FIRE STATION <br />A Summary of City Staff Omissions, Community Advocacy Efforts, and <br />Opportunities for Rehabilitation <br /> <br />In February of 2020, City Staff prepared a report on the city-owned parcel located <br />at 625 S. Cypress St. This report had many errors and omissions that misrepresented <br />the property, staff neglect and community efforts to save it. City Staff also did not <br />notify community stakeholders who had already expressed interest and concern for <br />the property, so that they could organize the community to provide advocacy for the <br />property prior to the City Council vote in February 2020 on the Staff-proposed action <br />to place the historic Cypress Street Fire Station on the Surplus Land list. <br /> <br />The historic Cypress Street Fire Station is an important site for residents of Pacific <br />Park (formerly Eastside), Henninger Park, Windsor Square, and Monroe Park. The <br />Cypress Fire Station would fill two voids in this part of South Main: <br /> <br />1. It provides the opportunity for a significant cultural anchor to bring a historic pedigree <br />and architectural value to the surrounding properties <br /> <br />1. The structure is located within an underserved central neighborhood with the potential to <br />be a community resource, library service expansion, and a fine arts destination <br /> <br />LIST OF ERRORS AND OMISSIONS IN STAFF REPORT <br /> <br />-- Report did not mention that the condition of the property was largely the result of <br />city neglect. Dozens of local residents had written, called and appealed to both City <br />Staff and local Representatives over the course of a decade, only to have most of these <br />appeals ignored. * See Timeline Below * <br /> <br />-- Report did not properly assess parking. Parking for the property is plentiful as there <br />are over 150 space in a lot directly across from it at a retail center that includes a <br />Dollar Tree and WIC store. Approximately 70 of the parking spots are empty 24 hours <br />a day, 7 days a week. <br /> <br />-- Report did not mention that the parcel was small, too small to develop without <br />completely destroying the firehouse in order to build a viable low-income multiple <br />family development. <br /> <br />-- Report did not mention the long history of community advocacy and concern for the <br />property. * See timeline below. * <br /> <br /> <br />