HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #03 Peter Griffin & Tom Beyrer
9/22/2020
Commission Members,
Thank you for considering Sola’s input on the Clay Terrace development. We are truly excited for the
investment in the area and anticipate a positive impact in the long run. After seeing the presentation,
we would like to highlight a few additional concerns:
1. Communication: It was mentioned that the Washington Prime leasing agent has been
communicating with tenants about the development. This is not the case. We’ve heard rumors
for some time, including that our space was to be demolished and have tried to get details. We
were initially told there were no plans. Eventually a plan was referenced but we were unable to
get any detail. We’ve lost several stylists for fear that we would not be in business long term
(even though we have a long-term lease.) We ultimately learned about the presentation from a
stylist’s client, not WP.
We believe the best plan will ultimately come from inclusive tenant participation and
responsive consideration of concerns.
2. Undefined Tenants: We were surprised that the number of residential and office space was not
concretely identified. During the meeting the office building A2 was described as between 4 and
6 stories. That is a large difference. We don’t understand how parking and traffic flow can be
estimated until those details are clarified.
Given the magnitude of the proposed changes to the East side of the development we believe
the number of apartment and office tenants must be identified and analyzed through a traffic
study in order to predict parking needs and vehicle movement.
3. Parking: We clearly demonstrated that our location regularly requires a large amount of
dedicated parking for our clients. In actuality this was an underestimate. Our overflow has
consistently utilized the vacant Old National Bank location parking (5,269 ft2). This problem will
only get worse when that space is filled. Parking is already a concern. It will only become more
complex once buildings A1 and A2 are completely full.
We believe understanding traffic flow, pedestrian patterns, and considering parking needs is
critical to the successful re-development of the south end of Clay Terrace and transition to the
new design.
4. Traffic Flow: After studying the general design for the restructuring we have serious concern for
the traffic flow of the general Clay Terrace area. The plan calls for the main boulevard to be
restricted to one lane. The new hotel, apartments and Office Building A2 will increase traffic
substantially in the eastern area of the development with no clear best path to each new entity.
The current plan appears to funnel traffic away from Clay Terrace Blvd, shifting drivers to the
rear of these buildings. Those lanes seem inadequate to handle the increased traffic that will
occur at predictable times and that is not traditionally seen in this area. This will result in a new
pattern of increased apartment and office traffic, creating congestion, hazards and likely barriers
to client parking and safe lot navigation for our space (A1), forcing pedestrians to cross much
busier roads trying to get to our retail location.
We believe traffic patterns for the hotel, apartment, and office space should be clear and not
in conflict with pedestrian and retail traffic.
Thank you for your vision and oversight in the project. We look forward to working with WP, the
commission, and others to ensure this is the best project possible.
Peter Griffin and Tom Beyrer
Sola Salon Studios, Owners