Clarification Of Statement

(Thursday) June 24, 2010

I am afraid that my statement at Tuesday night’s Council meeting was misinterpreted by your readers, and understandably so.

In response to Mr. Donley’s comment that the redevelopment of the area is a” zero sum game,” I  countered by saying Jefferson Houston was in need of attention, and was “architecturally unsafe.” I was not referring to the building, but to the layout and design of the parking area behind and around Durant. I then referenced the different nighttime police reports that had been generated in that area, and believe a redevelopment could greatly improve safety.

I in no way meant to imply the building or school was unsafe, as that is not the case. I believe the design of the new school and the surrounding civic areas could be greatly improved for all the citizens in the neighborhood if we were to move forward collaboratively with this project.

Thank you for the clarification,

Mimi Carter