Candidates at forum raise concerns over Shetland Park redevelopment proposal

At a candidate forum for City Council districts 1 and 5, candidates discussed a private proposal to redevelop Shetland Park, with several saying the plan’s scale and community outreach need work before the city advances approvals. The forum was co‑sponsored by the Coalición Latino and the League of Women Voters and held at a local public school.

Why it matters: The proposal would add a large number of housing units adjacent to an existing neighborhood and waterfront area that candidates and neighborhood groups said already faces traffic congestion and flood vulnerability. Several candidates said city review should ensure the project matches neighborhood scale and includes stronger community protections.

Discussion points: Cynthia Yerson Lane (candidate, District 1) said she had met repeatedly with neighborhood representatives and called the proposal “muy grande para el área,” noting the plan would add “más de 1000 apartamentos” and exacerbate existing traffic. She said the developer must engage residents further before receiving approvals.

Walter Morell (candidate, District 1) cited positive elements in the proposal — parkland and improved access to water — and supported relocation of a nearby school as a potential benefit, but he also said the project could increase rents and displace current residents, drawing parallels to other large developments.

Erin Turowsky (candidate, District 1) said she supports resilience and park improvements and wants park facilities relocated to reduce flood risk, but emphasized better communication between developers and neighbors.

Zachary Calderón (candidate, District 5) said the proposal has both positives and negatives, questioned whether the proposer is the right developer, and said the community conversation about the site has not yet begun in earnest. He encouraged residents to engage at the September meeting on Fayette Street.

Common concerns raised by multiple candidates included the project’s scale relative to existing parking and street capacity, the potential for rent increases that would leave neighborhood workers priced out, and the need for clearer commitments on affordable units and local preference for tenants.

Directions and decisions: No candidate announced an official commitment to a specific vote; discussion at the forum centered on whether city approvals should require more neighborhood outreach, stronger affordability guarantees, parking and traffic mitigation, and resilience measures tied to the redevelopment.

Context and next steps: Candidates referenced upcoming community meetings and a Sept. 30 event on Fayette Street for further discussion. Forum organizers urged residents to participate in those meetings and in the Sept. 16 preliminary election for districts 1 and 5.

Ending: The debate at the forum illustrated broad interest in shaping the redevelopment’s scale and protections for existing residents; candidates differed on emphasis but commonly called for more neighborhood engagement before the city approves a final plan.