Be our guest: Help Edgewater Manor stay out of jeopardy
In order to keep Edgewater Manor out of jeopardy, the Edgewater seniors are asking for help in contacting city alderpersons and others.
We’re hopeful that Edgewater will continue to be an affordable senior apartment building for many years to come, and we don’t want anyone to hesitate to move into the building, because that’s one of the best ways to support Edgewater. However, we want to nip in the bud any options for Edgewater other than its being affordable housing for seniors.
There is very concerning wording in the city’s Master Plan, whose approval may be voted on in early December. Send your messages by at least the end of November and as soon as possible to ensure their consideration for the final draft of the plan.
While the city points out that the Master Plan is only a vision and is not binding, the city’s own website says that “the Plans will be the primary vision-setting and policy-directing strategy to lead the ongoing revitalization and evolution of Stevens Point for the next 10 to 20 years.” That is, the alderpersons and others will be prone to use the Master Plan to justify future actions.
The new affordable senior apartments planned for Third and Water Streets won’t eliminate the need for Edgewater. With all of the baby boomers, the need for affordable senior housing is great. There is more than enough need for both facilities. The two buildings will complement each other.
Some area seniors who put a top priority on a newer-looking apartment or the latest handicap accessibility features will want to live in the new place. Many other seniors don’t need those things but instead benefit or will benefit from the unique affordability and opportunities for sociability and enjoyment of nature that Edgewater provides.
Suggest message – short version:
Thank you for including in the Master Plan that the city will develop a long range plan for Edgewater. This is much needed. But please specify the table items as “Develop long range plan for Edgewater Manor facility as affordable senior housing.” Please remove any wording regarding replacing or redeveloping Edgewater for any other use. And please remove any wording regarding extensively renovating Edgewater unless you insert the words “with city funds.” Otherwise, rents would not be able to remain affordable.
Please email, write, or call all of the contact persons below, no matter what district you’re in. All addresses are in Stevens Point, WI, 54481. Be sure to include your first and last name and address with all of your messages.
At www.SupportEdgewater.com you’ll find email addresses for all of the contacts. You’ll find the above short version of a suggested message and a longer version. You can use your own words or make copies of one of the messages.
Stevens Point Alderpersons: Tori Jennings, 1632 Ellis St, (715) 344-7377; David Shorr, 2509 Peck St, (715) 544-4121; Cindy Nebel, 1100 Phillips St, (715) 341-1141; Mykeerah Zarazua, 740 Sixth Ave, (715) 347-6622; Meleesa Johnson, 1703 Division St, (715) 343-1624; Jeremy Slowinski, 4501 Pleasant View Dr, (715) 340-8494; Mary Kneebone, 5718 Sandpiper Dr, (715) 345-2369; Cathy Dugan, 3408 A Regent St, (715) 341-9850; Polly Dalton, 1579 Church St, (262) 224-6027; Shaun Morrow, 2905 Falcons Cove, (715) 544-4422.
Community Development: Kyle Kearns, Stevens Point City Hall, Community Development Dept, 1515 Strongs Ave, (715) 346-1569.
Mayor: Mike Wiza, Stevens Point City Hall, 1515 Strongs Ave, (715) 346-1570.
Redevelopment authority members: John Schlice, 2140 Church St, (715) 341-6278; David Cooper, 2125 Oak St, (715) 544-0220; James Barrett, 416 Forest St N, (715) 347-8843; John Gardner, 1308 Wisconsin St, (715) 344-5718; Gene Kemmeter, 2258 College Ave, (715) 344-2598; Dave Ladick, 4517 Nicolet Ave, (715) 498-7340.
City plan commissioners: Matt Rice, 1000 Ridge Rd, (715) 572-9618; Anna Haines, 2009 Wyatt Ave, (715) 343-5668; Daniel Hoppe, 2008 McCulloch St, (715) 498-3102; Pete Arntsen, 1016 Bukolt Ave, (715) 445-1497
To learn more about Edgewater and to see photos of its beautiful riverfront “backyard,” go to www. EdgewaterManor.info. For much more information about this cause, go to www.SupportEdgewater.com
Please ask others to get involved. Thank you so much for your help.
Mary Meyer
On behalf of the Edgewater seniors
Stevens Point, WI