Why is there seemingly a rush to implement a city staff project when more answers are needed and with negative citizen reaction to irrevocably changing a major landmark of the city? The Silver Lake dam project seems to be moving along in much the same, slightly arrogant manner that was experienced recently with, for example, the rezoning efforts in Historic Southwest Rochester residential areas. Does the City Council seriously want Silver Lake to look like the Oronoco "lake" now that the dam there was removed? Swamp and scrub brush growth has filled in the once-beautiful site. Will the value of the homes around Silver Lake decrease as a result of the loss of the lake? Has this been addressed with those homeowners? Funding does not seem to be in place to accomplish this city staff driven project.
I believe that the 2023 referendum on the sales tax extension specifically excluded any sales tax money to be used for the removal of the still viable dam. ADVERTISEMENT Sources of money to fund the $3 million for dam removal have been noted as sales tax, flood control, and storm water utility funds. How can these sources be used when the dam was rebuilt as part of federally funded flood control work, the 2023 referendum sales tax extension was not for dam removal, and storm water utility money is for maintenance and upgrading of the storm water collection and treatment system? Please slow down, provide funding transparency and listen to concerned constituents.
Linda S. Freeman Roches.