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. . I . .' started for me in my first term on the Council when I did a ride-along with the Police department. The very first place I was taken was the 3400 block of Rolison Road. That was when the Graham property was stilI standing and it was described as 'the pit' which was exactly what it was. I understand Councilman Leipzig's concerns, I I agree with some of them, but I must say this is another situation that has reached the ~ point where we have to change the environment. Many of the same concerns were raised about Wyndham place and many other areas in the City. This again has reached a point where the only way out was to change the environment, and that means take those buildings down. They have to come down. I see it not as rewarding improper behavior, though I understand that concern, I see it as an opportunity to turn the neighborhood around and give it stability that it desperately needs." Councilman Claire said "Councilman Leipzig made some interesting and good points.... I can't share his enthusiasm completely. I remember what that neighborhood was. It was an industrial zone of Redwood City before Bayshore freeway became Bayshore freeway. I lived there. We didn't have those problems. The City Council, in the fifties, decided to change that, and we allowed the private sector to go forward with that change and make a lot of money in that area. The private sector did that with total disregard for the neighbors, total disregard for the City and total disregard for health and safety. That's the private sector. To turn around and invite the private sector back in again, to me is a little scary. I have seen too many win situations where the City and non-profits work together in blighted areas similar to this. Councilwoman Buchan has already stated a few.... there are some real good examples of real good successes. And that is what I am trying to do ~ here. We are here tonight because the private sector failed.... A former City Council Member, whose name I will not mention, who went on to be in the state legislature, suggested on the night of the vote the zoning was changed from industrial to residential high density, that this City is going to be in trouble putting buildings there. That is in the record. And sure enough, we let it happen and sure enough it has become an absolute disaster, and that City Council Member was a prophet of doom for that area. The individuals who live in that neighborhood, the neighborhood I grew up in.... have suffered long enough with that mess.... It was a former City Council many, many years ago, and the private sector that has put us in this position tonight. And it is now time for us to remedy that situation." Mayor Hartnett said "I think it is important to note, that this is a blighted area, it is a detriment to the health and safety of the people in the community, and I think we do have an. ... obligation to do something about it, to not just put a sign on it and say for sale. We cannot put up for sale the health and safety of our residents. I think that is what has been suggested, not in a genuine sense, but I think the practical implications of what has been suggested is to put that health and safety up for sale. That is our obligation. Our obligation is to take care of the health and safety and I think we will be aiming towards doing that by acquiring property that is intended to be acquired and demolishing the buildings.... People who live in overcrowded conditions are not there because they are breakmg the law, they're not there to break the lease, they're L- there very often because they have no other place to go. And too often they are there REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 SEPTEMBER 16,1996 MINUTES Page No. 490 PAGE 25