From: Aimee Drew
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment: Roseland Community Center Date: Monday, February 14, 2022 4:33:35 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council,
I'm writing on behalf of the Roseland Community and the LatinX Student Congress. We understand that the city has recently approved purchase of a 6+ acre site on Hearn Ave with the intention of developing this space as a community center. It is in the best interest of Roseland and Santa Rosa at large for this site to be a dedicated community space, but beyond that, to be a resiliency hub, cultural center with ample access to resources (such as a public library and childcare space) for this historically underserved community. Funds from the recent ARPA grant award should be allocated to building such a center to ensure that this economic stimulus meet the needs of the community and keep money flowing back into the neighborhood, as opposed to supporting an established private entity, The Boys and Girls Club.
The recent sale of the old RUP campus to cannabis developers was an affront to our community and we demand that this opportunity not be similarly wasted. The people, particularly students, of this community have been asking for a local center for culture and learning, as well as economic and environmental support and it is the duty of the city council to listen to and act on these demands.
Thank you for considering this statement and I hope that you will sincerely consider this plea to advocate for equity in allocating the $10 million that Santa Rosa has at its disposal for projects that empower and support its underserved communities.
Warmly,
Aimee Drew
Aimee Drew (she/her)
Carbon Positive Futures
Climate Resilience Educator & Consultant
(707) 583-5533
“Leadership is rooted not in power and authority, but in service and wisdom” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
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