Letter: Thrill ride would destroy neighborhood

Friday, Nov. 2, 2001 | 8:49 a.m.

I am writing regarding Diana Sahagun's Oct. 31 article about the Stratosphere's proposed thrill ride. I want to respond to a statement made by Stratosphere's chief operating officer, Richard Brown. In the article, Mr. Brown said that he needed to hear specific concerns ... to present to executive and council members.

As Mr. Brown knows, and has heard from the neighbors time and time again, this proposal, a project that has the potential to destroy one of the most historic neighborhoods in this city, is a direct contradiction to the vision for downtown redevelopment. Any plan for revitalization must make the area an attractive place for businesses to locate and people to live.

This neighborhood is the oldest, strongest, still existing anchor of downtown living. If this neighborhood is damaged, we will never have the downtown resurgence we all desire. No one who is willing to invest their hearts, their money and their time into rebuilding a neighborhood will want to live in the shadow of a 415-foot monolithic steel structure.

This is why the neighbors do not support this project. I hope that is "specific" enough for Mr. Brown.

DEONNE ENNS