Nader Agha’s and Leddy’s Holman’s Hotel Across from our Library (drawing is much smaller than proposed Zoning)
The first words out of Mr. Leddy’s mouth were appreciative greetings to “at least 50% of you in the audience with whom I have met before ” with nods to most of those sitting in the first rows. From the type of questions asked by audience members and an unwanted and disturbing NO rant by a person who had to be quieted, it became obvious this was the first time Mr. Leddy had experienced any opposition to the project. By the end of the talk he was visibly upset.
For those who were truly there to find out about the project, the project lost credibility when Mr. Leddy stated he was legally bound not answer any questions about WATER, mentioned discussions of a three story garage being built behind the theater level to Fountain Avenue, did not adequately address issues of increased traffic, what streets would be shut down during building (which might take 2 years), disruption to the Library and neighbors and the possibility of balconies overhanging some sidewalks.
He then informed everyone he did not plan to build out 100%. So, why, if he had no intention of building out 100%, were those 100% build out terms included in Measure F ?? Unease among audience members increased when someone asked if the property owner could, according to Measure F, fill in any space left over after the construction of the hotel and “new” Holman building at anytime in the future. The answer was yes. The crowd was also told that the property owner, Mr. Agha, would be retaining two levels of the Holman building; one level being at Lighthouse Avenue.
The most interesting (and distressing) moment for me was watching one of the front row supporters, stand up, and after applauding, walk over and clap Bill Kampe on the back before Mr. Kampe rushed out the back door. That hotel/Holman project supporter was Dan Cort.
Sadly, it gave more credence to a statement to me by a longtime resident and City committees and commissions member that “you can never win because they have more money” (referring to anyone opposing Kampe and his political machine).
I feel sorry for and sympathetic toward Mr. Leddy, and unsuspecting, well-meaning volunteers and citizens, caught being a front man or woman and pawn for a long time in planning project by a group backed by commercial real estate investors and business owners who are out for the bottom dollar, not for the residents and residential property owners.
There seems to be a land grab going on and with help of lead staff it appears our little town is up for sale to the highest bidders . . . who want to make it their personal playground. The perception that the town is being swallowed up and totally changed by a financial and political machine didn’t seem so far off when reading the Chamber of Commerce’s top billing sponsor of the annual fashion show is MONTEREY DOWNS.
No on F, No on Kampe, who stated “We should back the hotel project” at the candidates’ forum.
