As someone who lives in town, generally speaking, The Barlow is for people visiting town and Main St and beyond is for us who live in West County. I do not go to the Barlow at all (except to visit Sarmentine). When I read "Lars Langberg, the chair of the DRB, said, “It’s not the Barlow’s responsibility to invigorate Main Street. I think the Barlow is setting a great example in just doing what it’s doing.”' it boiled my blood a little because the Barlow isn't really doing much for the people who live here besides an easy way to balancing the budget, but I also agree in a different way that I don't want Sebastopol to become the Barlow. And I don't want the rest of our town to be left behind, which I got that feeling from Lars' quote. With this hotel I think the Barlow will become more insular and become Healdsburg. I grew up in Healdsburg and it is a completely different town now from 20 years ago. When you're just looking for ways to make money you will cater to the people who have money and their tastes, instead of highlighting what makes a place special and unique. It's very White Lotus. Also wanted to note that regarding concern for the gateway to the town, we have a giant "Cock" to greet folks... Are we in Petaluma?
Was there any discussion of flood control - of the fact that the eastern edge of the building is just about on the edge of the 100 year flood line? Given Barney Aldridge's failure to control the last flood crisis in 2019 what assurance is there that another, perhaps even more severe, flood will be adequately controlled?
There was a very brief discussion of this, in which it was asserted that yes, that had been taken into account. But I’ll ask for a little more detail about this.
Was any consideration given to the water usage, aging sewage system that needs millions of dollars to upgrade, increased burden on an over extended police department, fire department issues, need for more traffic enforcement, encroachment into the Laguna etc. The worries about an ugly building on Sebastopol Ave are a bit late. With the sleazy “Cock Robin” sign greeting the commuters speeding through downtown I don’t think they’ll notice a blank wall. I can only hope financing, or lack of financing, will keep the project on ice. If it does get built it’s doubtful the hotel approved years ago just up block will most likely never be built. Who ever said “it’s not the responsibility of the Barlow to be responsible for Main Street” is a real community minded individual. If he’s representative of the people behind this proposal our town is in trouble.
Encouraging that the hotel appears to be attractively designed. Let's hope this rendering is accurate so we don't end up with another monstrosity like CVS right in the heart of town.
Will the new hotel be built with local union labor and provide good middle class jobs? Or will some out of state contractor profit, take the money and run?
As someone who lives in town, generally speaking, The Barlow is for people visiting town and Main St and beyond is for us who live in West County. I do not go to the Barlow at all (except to visit Sarmentine). When I read "Lars Langberg, the chair of the DRB, said, “It’s not the Barlow’s responsibility to invigorate Main Street. I think the Barlow is setting a great example in just doing what it’s doing.”' it boiled my blood a little because the Barlow isn't really doing much for the people who live here besides an easy way to balancing the budget, but I also agree in a different way that I don't want Sebastopol to become the Barlow. And I don't want the rest of our town to be left behind, which I got that feeling from Lars' quote. With this hotel I think the Barlow will become more insular and become Healdsburg. I grew up in Healdsburg and it is a completely different town now from 20 years ago. When you're just looking for ways to make money you will cater to the people who have money and their tastes, instead of highlighting what makes a place special and unique. It's very White Lotus. Also wanted to note that regarding concern for the gateway to the town, we have a giant "Cock" to greet folks... Are we in Petaluma?
Was there any discussion of flood control - of the fact that the eastern edge of the building is just about on the edge of the 100 year flood line? Given Barney Aldridge's failure to control the last flood crisis in 2019 what assurance is there that another, perhaps even more severe, flood will be adequately controlled?
There was a very brief discussion of this, in which it was asserted that yes, that had been taken into account. But I’ll ask for a little more detail about this.
Was any consideration given to the water usage, aging sewage system that needs millions of dollars to upgrade, increased burden on an over extended police department, fire department issues, need for more traffic enforcement, encroachment into the Laguna etc. The worries about an ugly building on Sebastopol Ave are a bit late. With the sleazy “Cock Robin” sign greeting the commuters speeding through downtown I don’t think they’ll notice a blank wall. I can only hope financing, or lack of financing, will keep the project on ice. If it does get built it’s doubtful the hotel approved years ago just up block will most likely never be built. Who ever said “it’s not the responsibility of the Barlow to be responsible for Main Street” is a real community minded individual. If he’s representative of the people behind this proposal our town is in trouble.
Encouraging that the hotel appears to be attractively designed. Let's hope this rendering is accurate so we don't end up with another monstrosity like CVS right in the heart of town.
Will the new hotel be built with local union labor and provide good middle class jobs? Or will some out of state contractor profit, take the money and run?
I'm fascinated to see how this all pans out. 200+ new parking spaces (!) ... and increased traffic on 12.