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Council debates prioritizing a City Green as competing infrastructure needs loom
Summary
Councilors disagreed over whether to prioritize a City Green gathering space in City Center, with some urging philanthropic fundraising and partnership strategies and others cautioning that infrastructure and maintenance needs may make the project premature for FY27.
Councilors split over the priority to give a dedicated 'City Green' space in the City Center area. One councilor urged deprioritizing the new green in favor of higher‑priority infrastructure, while others argued the green is integral to realizing the City Center vision and urged continued momentum and fundraising exploration. Elizabeth Fitzgerald said the City Green was among her top priorities: "I really think realizing the vision of City Center is at the top of that list for me," she said, adding that consistency of effort and funding alternatives were important.
Staff and councilors discussed potential funding sources — open‑space funds, philanthropic leadership, and public‑private partnerships — and whether City Center Park enhancements could serve the same functions. Staff noted there is approximately a $3 million pot from open-space/open-funds and that trustee and community fundraising has supported past large projects (for example, library fundraising). No final decision was made; the council signaled interest in further scoping and funding conversations so the project remains on the radar without committing construction funds in FY27.
