During a recent city council meeting, residents voiced their concerns and hopes regarding the redevelopment of the Brown School, emphasizing the urgent need for affordable housing in the community. The discussions highlighted a growing frustration with the pace of development and the proposals currently on the table.

One resident, who has lived in the area for 40 years, urged the council not to let the Brown School project become another prolonged waterfront development. They expressed a desire for swift action, stating, \"We've waited long enough,\" and suggested that a small park could enhance the neighborhood. This sentiment was echoed by others who stressed the importance of timely decisions that would benefit the community.

Sarah Holden, another resident, criticized the potential selection of developer Zeta, arguing that it would squander an opportunity to create a fully affordable housing project. She called for a proposal from the local YWCA, which she believes aligns better with the city's goals for affordable housing.

Elaine Nickerson, a member of the Newbury Affordable Housing Trust, pointed out that the current proposals do not meet the original density and zoning expectations set years ago. She argued that the financial feasibility of developing affordable rental units for seniors is being overlooked, and that the council should reconsider the density of the proposals to better serve the community's needs.

Concerns about parking were also prevalent, with multiple residents highlighting the inadequacy of parking provisions in both the Zeta and YWCA proposals. Robert Currier, representing the Affordable Housing Trust, noted that the elderly residents likely would not own many cars, suggesting that the impact on parking might be less significant than anticipated.

The meeting also featured support for the Project Lifesaver initiative, aimed at helping locate vulnerable individuals, particularly children and seniors. Steven Hinchey shared a personal story about his daughter, emphasizing the importance of such programs for families in the community.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collective call for the city council to prioritize affordable housing solutions and to ensure that the redevelopment of the Brown School meets the needs of the community effectively and promptly. Residents expressed a desire for transparency in the decision-making process and urged the council to reconsider the proposals on the table to better serve the public interest.