Preston Center: Photo by Fernando Rojas
It’s been a year since a specially selected task force began kicking around what to do about the development at Preston Center, but it’s hard to say what progress has been made.
The regularly meetings are long and sometimes rambling (for more on that, check out Robert Wilonsky’s brilliant piece from last week), making them hard to follow for anyone who isn’t a master planner or unusually passionate about development. But they seem to be narrowing down ideas, which will be presented to the public during a meeting on Tuesday, May 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway Road, in the ballroom.
The task force will be on hand to present the information up to this point, and get feedback from the community about what they would like to see come into the shopping center that is more than 50 years old.
For those who have not been following this story, here’s a quick summation: In 2014, developers Transwestern began making plans to build a lavish apartment complex next to the Preston Center that would have reached eight-stories and contained nearly 300 units, but that was quickly scaled back. Not surprisingly, neighbors weren’t too keen on that plan, and fought back, seeking a stronger voice in any major new developments. Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates launched a land-use study of the Preston Center and formed the task force to ensure that neighbors voices would be heard as the area developed.
