September 30, 2024

Good evening council members. I'm here to voice my strong support for the proposed rezoning at 1022 Madison Avenue to allow for a new gas station development. This project will not only offer our community greater convenience, but it will also create jobs and generate tax revenue that can be reinvested into local services. Currently residents have to travel farther for basic needs like refueling and picking up essential items. A nearby gas station will save time and reduce unnecessary travel, cutting down on traffic and emissions. Additionally, the construction and operation will bring short-term and long-term employment opportunities supporting local families and businesses. The increased foot traffic can also benefit nearby shops and the tax revenue generated can be used for community improvements. I understand environmental concerns, but modern gas stations are built to stringent standards ensuring safety and environmental protection. This project is a positive step for revitalizing Madison Avenue, attracting further investment, and meeting the needs of our growing community. I urge the council to improve the rezoning. It's a smart investment in our neighborhood's future. Thank you for your time.

Good evening council members. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in strong support of the proposed rezoning of Madison and West Boulevard. I want to emphasize how vital this project is for economic health of our community and why we should all rally behind it.

At its core this project represents a significant investment in our local economy. Let's not forget that every time a new business opens up in our community it creates a ripple effect that benefits us all. This gas station will create jobs during the construction phase and long after it opens, employing local workers for operational roles such as cashiers, maintenance staff, and management positions. These are real, stable jobs that will help local families earn a livelihood, stimulate spending in nearby businesses and contribute to the overall economic vibrancy of the area. But the benefits don't stop there. The tax revenue generated from this project will also provide critical funds for public services. Think about what this means, more money for our schools, parks, roads, and emergency services. We often hear about how our city needs more resources for these vital public services but without new development, where will these funds come from? Approving this rezoning is a proactive way to ensure that we have the financial resources necessary to maintain and improve the public infrastructure that all of us rely on.

Moreover we need to think about the long-term economic impact. Businesses like gas stations create a hub for other businesses to thrive as more people come to the area for fuel. Nearby shops, restaurants and services will see increased foot traffic. This is the kind of development that can spur further economic growth, making our neighborhood a destination rather than a place people pass through. What's most important is that we don't pass up an opportunity to invest in our community's future. Approving this rezoning is a vote for economic growth, job creation and a more prosperous future for everyone who calls this area home. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Good evening, council members. I stand before you today as a resident of this community. I am here to offer my full support for a rezoning effort that would allow for the construction of a gas station at 100022 Madison Avenue. While the conversation has largely focused on broader economic and environmental concerns, I want to zero in on what this project would mean for the everyday lives of people who live here.

First let us talk about convenience. Right now, many of us have to travel further than necessary for basic services like gas, groceries, and quick stop necessities.

This may seem like a minor inconvenience on the surface but when the factor is how much time and money it costs for local residents to drive to more distant locations, it becomes clear that having a gas station in our immediate neighborhood would significantly improve our quality of life, whether it's picking up a few groceries or filling up before we go to work. This station would make daily errands more efficient and less stressful, but beyond convenience, this gas station also represents a broader shift towards local empowerment by providing essential services close to home. We're reducing traffic congestions and lowering the carbon footprint associated with long drives to access basic needs. This is the practical solution to a very real problem. Our community needs access to more local services. Additionally, the benefits to local businesses. As residents we're all familiar with the businesses that form the backbone of our community. Restaurants, shops, and service providers will benefit from the increased foot traffic that comes with the development like this. When people stop for gas or snacks they're more likely to also explore what else our neighborhood has to offer. Supporting this rezoning isn't just about adding gas station, it's about supporting the entire local economy. Let's not forget the added convenience this project will bring for local workers as commuters. With a gas station nearby, workers won't have to take detours out of their way to to fuel up. This will make their daily commutes easier and more efficient. It may seem like a small thing but sometimes these small conveniences can make a big difference in our day-to-day lives.

In closing I believe this rezoning is an opportunity to improve the quality of life for all residents. It's not just about economic growth, it's about making our lives easier, making our lives easier and our community stronger. I urge the council to approve this rezoning effort. Thank you.

Hey, good evening Council. I'm here to talk about the Madison CVS. My current snapshot of Madison Avenue is, there's a lot of vacant and rundown buildings in despair, while there is like no pizza shops, no barber shops, no restaurants, you know. I'm here today to ask Council to move forward with the rezoning of 10022 Madison Avenue. Thank you.

Good evening, council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I stand in support of the rezoning effort of the Madison gas station, but I want to begin by acknowledging that it wasn't easy to arrive to this position. Initially I had my reservations colored by my personal bias and concern about the future of this neighborhood, however, I've taken the time to step back, listen to the great speeches in the past couple weeks, look at this project from different angles, and approach it from a broader perspective.

While it's easy to voice opinions or speculate on what might happen, the truth is, action speaks louder than words. In this case we're not just talking about ideas or potential outcomes, we are seeing someone willing to take risk and take real steps to invest in the community. This property has been neglected for years and might go on for many more, and while many have had conversations about its potential, this owner is actually doing something about it. Yes the focus is on a gas station but this is about more than just one business. I'm going to echo my colleagues and it's about reviving a neighborhood, creating jobs, paving the way for future entrepreneurs. It's not an easy path to be an early investor or to be the first to initiate change, but it's essential. This investment will not only breathe life into the area but also inspire others to follow suit, creating a ripple effect that will benefit the community as a whole.

In the end I believe taking action, investing in something tangible that can spark real growth is far more valuable than sitting on the sidelines predicting what might happen or might not happen. I commend the owner for taking this bold step and I urge all of you to support this effort as we move forward to reviving this neighborhood. Thank you.

Good evening, members of the council. I'm here today to voice my strong support for the proposed rezoning that would allow the development of a gas station at 10022 Madison Avenue. As someone who lives in close proximity to the site, I believe this will bring a significant benefits to our neighborhood, and it's important to clarify that the majority of opposition we've heard is not coming from those of us who live nearby but rather from the same few individuals that are always complaining and believe they represent all the residents' interest, which is furthest from the truth.

Let's start with the direct benefits to our local community. For those of us who live and work in the immediate vicinity, a gas station will provide much needed convenience whether it's a quick stop for gas, picking up essential items or grabbing a coffee before heading to work, this development will serve the everyday needs of local residents. Currently, many of us have to travel beyond our neighborhood to access these services, adding to traffic and wasting our time that we could be spending with our families. A gas station within our area will alleviate this burden, creating a more convenient and accessible option for us right here at home.

I want to address the opposition to this project, which has been very very vocal, but when you look closely, much of it comes from the same individuals and group who do not live close to the proposed site and are always opposed to many things. Many of the loudest voices are from several miles away and are not as directly impacted by this development as we are. As someone who lives within walking distance of the site, many of the neighbors and I support this project because we understand its value. We are the ones who will experience the benefits of this gas in our everyday lives. It's easy for those who live further away to oppose a project that won't personally benefit them or be an inconvenience for them, but the reality is this gas station will serve our community. Those of us who are nearby and will use it regularly, we know what our neighborhood needs and we know that this development will enhance our quality of life.

In conclusion, as a resident of this area, I'm asking the council to listen to the voices of those who are most affected by this proposal, those of us who live closest to the site. We support this rezoning because what we know it will bring the convenience the economic growth and long-term value to our neighborhood. The opposition, while understandable, is a few with loud voices largely coming from outside the immediate area, and they will not fully appreciate the positive impact that this project will have on those of us who live and work in this area. Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to support this rezoning and help us bring these benefits to our community.

Hi, good evening. My name is Stephanie Honeycutt. Sorry, I'm a little short. Good evening, my name is Stephanie Honeycutt. I'm here to express my support for the rezoning of 10022 Madison Avenue. I urge this Council to stand behind this initiative as well. Excuse me. When this area rezoned over 13 years ago it was done under the pretense, I'm so sorry, I have a little cold, it was under the preserving of a pedestrian retail character. They painted a picture as though Madison Avenue was intended to resemble areas like Crocker Park and its pedestrian retail character, but in reality this characterization was far from accurate. There never was a thriving pedestrian retail scene here. Instead, the rezoning created unnecessary barriers, stifling any potential for retail development. In the 13 years since, not a single new retail project has taken root in this area. As we look around Madison Avenue, we see only vacant, rundown and abandoned buildings, a clear sign of how this rezoning has hurt not helped the community. The question now is how long must we wait to acknowledge the damage that was done and take steps to reverse it?

I would like to extend my gratitude to our councilman Danny Kelly for taking a provocative stance. Unlike others who have remained idle, his commitment to making progress is commendable and deserves our support. I urge this Council to back its efforts to revive this area and help bring it into the modern era. Thank you.

I stand in strong support of the rezoning. I'm taking the glasses off, sorry. Rezoning that would allow for the station to be built at 10022 Madison Avenue. While the focus has largely been on economic benefits, I want to frame this conversation in terms to fairness and opportunity.

For too long, certain parts of the community have been underserved and underdeveloped. As a result, residents in these areas have had to travel for the basic services, spending more time, money, energy just to meet their daily needs. This is a matter of economic fairness. We deserve the same access to the services as more developed areas of the city. By approving the rezoning, we're giving this community the opportunity to access those services without leaving their neighborhood, but more importantly, we're also giving the community an opportunity to thrive.

Economic equity starts with access, access to jobs, access to resources, access to the convenience. This gas station will help bring that to our area. In addition to providing services, this project will offer employment opportunities for local residents. We know that jobs especially right now can be hard to come by. The gas station will create positions during both construction and operation offering a lifeline to the those who need stable employment. These aren't just any jobs, these are jobs that will help residents gain experience, earn a living, and contribute to the local economy.

The rezoning also presents an opportunity for community empowerment. When a community has access to the services and jobs it needs, it becomes more self-sufficient, it allows local residents to build wealth and improve their quality of life, in turn, strengthens the fabric of the community as a whole. I want to stress that this isn't just about adding another gas station, this is about providing economic justice for residents who have been overlooked for far too long. By approving the rezoning, you are signaling that all parts of our city matter and that we are committed to providing the resources needed for every resident to thrive. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Thank you. Everybody here had a great speech but basically what we need is growth. That's why we need this. We need our community to keep growing, because if it doesn't, then the bad side is, we fail. We don't want to fail. We want new stores, you know, more taxes, more revenue for our community. That's basically what we need, we need to keep growing and this let's that happen. That's basically all I have to say.

Good evening, council members. Good evening, everyone. I'd just like to say that I am for the rezoning of 10022 Madison Avenue because it would bring a great deal of opportunity to that community and that neighborhood.

I say that from firsthand experience because I used to be that community. Somebody come in new, you don't know what to expect. You have all these fears and anxieties, but a group of men came in and did exactly what they said they were going to do. That means a lot because so often people say we're going to do this, we're going to do that, we're going to have this, we're going to have that, and they don't do it. This group of men did. I have nothing but admiration and respect for them, and I think it'll be a really good idea to let them come in, invest, and build it up thank you.