Northside Nature Preserve

General

• Owned by a private conservation interest group, Nature's Trust.
• As part the 2005 Summer Festival, the Solstice Gambol trekked thru or near this region.
• Subject of recent controversy and public protest regarding development of the preserve in early 2005.

Development Conflict

• In March 2005, approved for sale to real estate developers.
  • The sale was approved by a close vote on the council, 5-4, with Camryn Scott casting the deciding vote
  • All monies from the sale will go into the city's general fund
  • A Protection League was setup to try and stop the sale of the land.
  • Vote was supported by such developers as Mobius Development Corp
• In April 2005, a protest was staged, and many were arrested, including Academy professor Estelle Sedgewick
• In June 2005, this area was purchased by The Nature's Trust, effectively ending the probability of development in the area.
  • This vote was approved with a 6-3 vote by the the City Council.
  • As part of the sale agreement, a portion of the money going to the city must be spent in renovating parts of The Old Town.

References

• Perplex City Sentinel
  • article, 21-MAR-05 "City Opens Northside" (link)
  • article, 11-APR-05 "Five Arrested During Northside Protest" (link)
  • Letter, 18-APR-05, from Cora Howell (link)
  • Letter, 18-APR-05, from J. Beloc, Earth (link)
  • article, 20-APR-05 "Dev in Northside Supported, Poll Finds" (link)
  • article, 15-MAY-05 "View from Earth: Urban Boundaries" (link)
  • article, 13-JUN-05 "Northside Preserve Development Killed" (link)