Carefree candidates weigh in on the Easy Street project
by Brian DiTullio

CAREFREE – Two vacant lots equal one election issue of contention as the Easy Street project prepares to break ground this summer.

The Easy Street project, approved by the Carefree Town Council last year, has become a minor election issue as some of the challengers call for changes in the multi‑use project that proposes a mix of shops, restaurants and high‑end condominiums in the downtown area.

Councilman Lloyd Meyer noted that less than 1percent of Carefree is zoned commercial and that it is important to take full advantage of that area.

“It’s a very important project,” said Meyer. “This brings in people and develops synergy between the residents and the shops. This is what’s replacing shopping centers–mixed use.”

Candidate David Burnell Smith, though, said all he sees is an area that could have been turned into a park and a disruption of the community during construction.

“I would never have voted for that project,” said Smith. “Better use can be made of that property.”

Councilman Greg Gardner disagreed with Smith, countering that the construction time, while still a negative, won’t be as big a disruption for the community as Smith thinks it will be. Gardner also believes that once the project is finished, it will bring some nightlife to the community.

Vice‑mayor Wayne Fulcher noted mixed‑use development is “a proven regenerator of business in small towns. It not only brings sales tax revenue to the area, it’ll bring the type of shopping and retail to the town that citizens say they want.”

Fulcher added several surveys were conducted and they showed overwhelmingly that the Easy Street project is what a majority of the town wants.

“We need to make sure we have good retail down there,” said Fulcher.

Councilman David Schwan agreed with Fulcher, pointing out the project is a change for the area, “but very appropriate for Carefree.”

As for the building’s height, 43 feet in some areas, Schwan explained that the additional few feet is necessary to accommodate the underground parking, “which is a wonderful idea because it avoids the sea of asphalt everyone hates.”

Candidate John Trayner said while he likes the idea of shops and restaurants in the area, he believes the downside is the “physical size, height, and congestion that will accompany the project as currently slated. Access to the post office, where Carefree residents are forced to pick up their mail, already is difficult. For several years during construction, that situation will be hellacious and surrounding businesses will suffer.”

Councilman Gary Hayward concurred with Schwan on the parking arrangements, saying, “It’s necessary to make the project economically feasible. I’d prefer to trade the height for the underground parking.”

Councilman Bob Coady said there is nothing he likes about the project, feels it will be Carefree’s first “high rise,” and that there were faults with the public participation process.

“I believe that our citizens were shortchanged when zoning changes to accommodate this project were buried with many other changes and voted on in total. Once this zoning was in place, it became nothing more than an administrative decision,” said Coady.

Two public hearings were conducted prior to the vote on the issue.

The project is scheduled to be done in two phases, with a tentative completion date of Christmas 2008.

Candidate Jim Peirce could not be reached to comment on this article.