Below is my original letter to the editor. It got published back in September 2006. Obviuosly, it was properly edited for space. You know what I mean.

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Koehler project: Clean it up now

I have a few ideas about how to put the big fiasco behind us and move forward to the future I hope someone listen, understand, and have the courage to try to apply my simple suggestions.

Nobody knows or will ever know where the money is or how it got spent. Not a serious investor or developer will ever build (risk) that size of a project within the city of Erie at this time. Even if the monster is built who will occupy the place?

These are my suggestions:

1. To the developers. Do not spend money putting a fence. It is better to level all the ground and be sure there are not big holes, you might want to put some trees around just for fun. You might want to consider donating the whole property to the Feds, City or the State to make a public park. Now that the beautiful historical building is gone. You might even recover the $1.2 million by selling the park name right to someone local with a lot of cash, family name pride or personal ego.
2. To the city. If the developers do not level the ground, then have your crews level the place and plant trees. Again, you might want to use the place for a public park.
3. To the company that made the demolition. I am not sure if you were ever paid for the job or not but you might want to send you crew and properly level the place. Do not waste money in fences. By properly leveling the place will reduce any major potential liability for your company if something happens.
4. To the redevelopment authority. Do not ever again get involved in demolition projects that do not make any sense. Somebody should seriously consider protecting the historical character and architectural legacy of this little town.
5. To all. Pick another site to do your development maybe in some of the other vacant buildings around town. This time learn from the experience, have a comprehensive plan and blue prints and cost analysis in front of you before you start using shovels and picks. However, please do not waste public money paying incompetent consultants or scam artist just because the money is available.

In closing if you do the right thing maybe the public won’t look at the whole mess as the big fiasco it already is. Please be smart and adjust your plans accordingly. You could still save some face by making the right moves. Being ironic, do not continue searching for WMD now that we know we should never demolish the building to being with.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Erie needs a few winners now and then

Julio C. Reyes
Latinos Restaurant and Bar
452.1966
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Before anybody gets Jazz about my little twon statements to qualify Erie please remember I wrote my letter in 2006.