On Monday morning, the Vanguard had a provocative column, arguing that, while it believes the city needs an innovation center at Mace, the city needs to be able to get a project approved by the voters.
The column prompted a response from Dan Ramos, who has been the public face for the development group. Given that the council is meeting to discuss the matter tonight, it seemed appropriate to make public the response.
Dan Ramos wrote the following:
I wanted to share my thoughts regarding your blog post below:
The simple reason we’re seeking certification on the MRIC EIR is that it makes sense for the city and us to complete the lengthy process, which simply evaluates the impacts of a project if one were to occur in the future on that site. We’ve both invested a significant amount of time and money in getting to this point and have become significantly more educated along the way. Why let that go to waste? That’s what would happen if the EIR isn’t certified.
We understand that some in Davis will always question our motives and every move, despite our efforts to transparently implement a viable project that would provide significant economic benefit for the community. We definitely learned some things along the way and, yes, we proposed changes in the project with an eye toward making it work better for the city and us. Might we choose to do some things differently if we could rewind the clock? Yes, probably. We guess that city staff and at least some members of the City Council probably would say the same thing. But we are where we are. And that is with a project proposal indefinitely on hold and a mostly completed environmental document that initially went out for public review more than 16 months ago.
As you have reported, certification of the EIR does not in any way serve as approval of a project. If we do come back with a project proposal at some point, we would be subject to and firmly committed to complying with all of the project reviews and approvals, including a Measure R vote, that are required and expected in Davis. We trust under the current circumstances that most would see our request for EIR certification as very reasonable.
I hope this helps you understand our reasons for the EIR Certification request.
I support Dan Ramos’ comments, even tho’ I am still neutral/skeptical of a particular project. I believe the certification moves forward to a decision… yes or no… and if no, why? I say three times, it is a disclosure document… nothing more, nothing less.
BTW, have known Dan, professionally, for years… he is not a BS artist… far from… straight-forward person, who has to sometimes adopt a ‘persona’, given the audience… I get that…
hola amigo Dan Ramos of Ramco.. how are the wife and sons?…..
Over the decades during which the sons hung out, now nearly 2 decades ago, we all enjoyed your lovely place on the edge of El Macero… and, I in particular, interestedly followed the projects you were involved in around the valley.
I have not had time to delve into this topic, but whatever is proposed MUST be approved by the voters..
My son’s ultimately want to live in Davis.. and I, may or may not, perhaps have grandchildren some day….
Though it is not likely I will be living there again…. Davis is in my blood after over 46 1/2 years…
And once some truly urgent and time sensitive business is finite.. I may or may not find out more.
I will be very interested to hear what my pals MH, ES, AP etc have to say about this all. cya
Last night the item was pulled from the agenda. I learned and confirmed this morning that Don Mooney sent a last second letter threatening legal action. Full story tomorrow.
The “last second” part is of particularly of interest… a “late hit”, if you will… from what I saw (I might have missed something) it was deferred, but not to a time certain… no alternate date…
That is correct. I’ll have more tomorrow.