The Endeavor Strikes Back
If the struggles by the folks who actually live in the North Loop area were a movie, we think Star Wars would be a good analogy. It probably isn’t that entertaining, but then again neither were the prequels.
If you hadn’t noticed, we like underdogs here at APR. Unfortunately, average citizens seem to be the underdog against the forces of unbridled VMU and urbanization.
So, for today, we are going to consider the scrappers who live in North Loop the rebels. Maybe other average citizens will follow their model when the Emperor Endeavor tries to construct a Death Star in their neighborhood.
Below is an email exchange between one of these rebels and Jamil Alim with Endeavor.
From: Jamil Alam
Date: October 16, 2007 9:31:16 PM CDT
Cc: xxx
Subject: Re: Howard’s Property
I have a personal challenge for you. If you really want to be a leader in your neighborhood engage in the process in a balanced, fact based manner with a view towards the betterment of the neighborhood as a whole. Stop with the veiled threats, accusations, attacks on credibility, half-truths and insults. Offer some new innovative ideas with a win-win objective. Stop believing that just because I don’t agree with your personal demands that I have not listened or tried. Realize that some of your demands conflict with your neighbors demands and I am simply stuck in the middle. Recognize that effective communication must follow a channel from the Neighborhood spokesman to the Developer and I can’t and won’t cut one off deals with you that are to the detriment of your neighbor. Acknowledge the countless hours and thought that your predecessors put into your Neighborhood Plan. They are the finest, smartest neighborhood reps that I have encountered. Be willing to listen and learn. Your lack of knowledge and paranoia about the development business and political process (as further evidenced by your email below) has harmed a lot of people already. BTW- your multiple choice below left out the correct answer:)
You clearly have no idea how many of your neighbors oppose your point of view. They find your website to be deceitful and to contain only a few peoples personal bias’. I know because they have called and emailed me in droves asking Endeavor to ask again for the variance. You should stop speaking on behalf of the Neighborhood because you don’t.
If you are willing to accept the above challenge, perhaps you can earn my trust.
In the for-what-it-is-worth category, Andres Duany, who is the author of Suburban Nation, is speaking this Friday at a lunch at the Four Seasons. It is sold out (hint), but you can probably show up from 12-1 and stand in the back and listen. You might even learn something.
Jamil
—– Original Message —–
From: XXX
To: Jamil Alam
Sent: Tue Oct 16 11:20:07 2007
Subject: Howard’s Property
Hi Jamil,
Stefan forwarded your e-mail confirming that Endeavor has terminated the contract on the Howard’s lot.
Believe it or not I too think it is a shame that there is not the possibility of discussing a modification of the existing plan.
I and others have been watching the progress on the Development Assessment of the lot over the past several days
https://www.ci.austin.tx.us
With all of this work and activity, and the fact that the VR hearing has not yet been cancelled we have assumed that Endeavor intends to move forward.
We will continue to assume this until the VR is withdrawn.
If it is not the intent of Endeavor to move forward, would you please call Susan Walker (xxx-xxxx) to cancel the variance hearing?
I’ll be frank and say that those of us opposed to the project (in its current state) assume that not canceling the VR could only be for one of three reasons:
1. You guys are busy and have not not gotten around to it yet
2. You intend to move forward with the hope of not having opposition
at the BOA
3. You are holding onto the VR date, knowing we must take time to
prepare, as a punitive act
Please know I mean no personal offense here. This simply describes the sentiment among neighbors.
While option 1 was initially seen as the most likely, as time moves on, this possibility (in many people’s opinion) is fading.
I have clearly been opposed to the Howard’s project as it is today, but know that I am not opposed to you or Endeavor in any general sense. In fact I would hope that Endeavor might consider the re-development of other sites in our neighborhood boundaries - as long as this redevelopment can be done in a manner that is respectful to adjacent single-family homes.
So while I have been an annoyance to you in regards to the Howard’s proposal, I would be your strong advocate and cheerleader if you one day propose a progressive re-development for the Ford dealership.
In considering possible future interests, the benefit of preserving an amiable relationship and sense of good faith with the community, I would again urge you to formally withdraw the variance request as soon as possible.
Doing so now would go a long way in proving that we as a neighborhood can (and should) take you/Endeavor at your word.
Best,
6 Responses to “The Endeavor Strikes Back”
Not that an anonymous site like this has a lot of credibility to begin with, but you’re rapidly burning through the little you had. Jamil looks like a very responsible developer in that exchange; and the ilovenorthloop guy DID, in fact, do the things he’s accused of here.
By M1EK on Oct 17, 2007
bitter much, MILK??
that clip is hysterical. suits the letter well. nice work APR. don’t let these big city bullies cloud your vision.
maybe eventually they will get sick of reality and move back to LA.
By uh huh on Oct 17, 2007
This site has things backwards. Everything Jamil says in that email is true. In fact, the ilovenorthloop self-appointed neighborhood protectors are now negotiating with other developers on their own, without inviting anyone else from the neighborhood (much less the Planning Team or neighborhood association board).
Also, “uh huh,” Endeavor is an Austin-based company, so save your rants about the California bogeyman.
By heyzeus on Oct 18, 2007
Let’s not forget that the vote on the project was 76-75 against…doesn’t exactly fit the neighborhood v. developer screenplay you are writing, que no?
Let’s also not forget that ilovenorthloop does not allow people who disagree with him to post on his website. Doesn’t exactly fit the “man of the people” image that you are trying to cast him in.
Last thing, plese drive by the site and tell me again why it is not suitable for more intense development? It is across the street from the gas company, close to a future rail line, fronts a state highway, etc.
By el_longhorn on Oct 18, 2007
I agree w/ the last comments. ilovenorthloop.com is a lame site made by people who enjoy feeling self righteous and who, when asked to do something constructive by the president of the neighborhood association, never responded, commented, or did much of anything.
-T
By tim on Oct 18, 2007
pretty incredible that a neighbor who is not a designated spokesman would send an email making that kind of demand. isn’t the next BoA meeting still 1 month away? this ilovenorthloop guy (who posts an email from someone else yet remains anonymous)sure does assume an awful lot. whassup with the “cut one off deals with you” comment? do you think this ilovenorthloop guy tried to cut some special deal for himself and got rejected and now he is bitter?
By R2D2 on Oct 18, 2007