New Community Web Page Sprouts from Sycamore North Concerns

A new Web page recently sprung up to discuss issues relating to the unfinished building.

BaysideResidents.wordpress.com represents a group of Herculeans who “are concerned about the indefinite delay of the Sycamore North development,” the BaysideResidents mission statement reads.

It goes on to say, “Living in close proximity to Sycamore North, we have been directly impacted by the construction, the design, the currently unfinished work site, and the future disposition of the project… We are seeking assurance from the city that safety codes, including fire safety are met and that environmental and public health protections are in place, to mitigate negative impacts on the community and on the protected wet-lands and wildlife.”

Sycamore North sits four stories high, with the top three levels designated mostly for affordable housing. The city owns the half-built building but cannot afford to finish it and has searched for a buyer in recent months. Residents, many from Bayside, have publicly the project, mainly for its affordable housing element.

An affordable housing developer submitted an offer to buy the building last month but backed off due to public opposition.

The city has spent about $30 million on the project so far, and has projected an estimated $35 million cost to complete it. Much of the money the city used to fund the project was borrowed on the promise of delivering an affordable housing mix. City staff is currently looking into options for selling, renting or possibly tearing down the building.

BaysideResidents includes archived articles on Sycamore North, a space for comments and meeting times for residents interested in getting involved with the concerned Baysiders.

The group will meet next on Sunday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. at in Hercules, according to the webpage’s events calendar.