Well said Dustin. The key problem here is the last minute game change - exactly the kind of uncertainty that cools those bold enough to invest in infill. I hope our city is not going to crawl into a 'traditionalist' shell - safe but insular and disconnected from the diversity and richness of architectural expression. This kind of location is the ideal place to push the envelope; I hope the developer after they get over the bruising pick themselve up and slog forward - in the end that's what's best for them, and for the city. We move ahead sometimes in spurts, and sometimes we have to crawl along one inch at a time.

Kudos to all who invested the time and energy in walking the corridor and connecting to the businesses there. There is a lot of potential in this district - and I for one am following through that sentiment by not just locating my own business here but by investing in the corridor. Even simple things like landscaping make a big difference, and I take pride in my 'corner' at 26th and X, walking my property perimeter most every day and taking care of trash, graffitti and whatever might have happened the night before. One suggestion: establish a 'facade' program for the corridor - both supporting business owners who are interested in investing in the appearance of their properties; and recognizing those whose constant effort contribute to the kind of environment we all want to have.

The fee is proposed to raise nearly a billion dollars over the next ten years ... without a clear game plan of how the money would be spent, and if we as a community can afford this investment. Do you think a developer revitalizing a long vacant retail site on del paso blvd, or stockton blvd - is causing the same transportation impact as new construction on the urban edge? The fees for revitalization of our run down commercial corridors and in our more fragile urban areas need to be reduced or eliminated - that's how to direct private investment into the parts of our community that need it.