To the Editors:

Regarding the City’s plans for development of the Green Acres area east of town, not all residents are pleased with the idea. In fact, I know quite a few residents are actually against it. 

While additional housing in Oberlin may be of benefit, has the City explored other areas that might be used, such as repurposing unused and vacant school buildings, or businesses? What about open land north or south of town, of which there must be numerous acres available? 

Has the City taken into consideration that, while the west side of town has access to multiple parks and green spaces, the east side of town has just this one, which currently provides a place of nature, peace, and pleasure to many residents in the east side of town?

What is the motivation for this plan? Does the City feel it is necessary to develop this area for financial reasons — to increase its tax base? Is it because it simply already has a plan in hand and feels it must execute it? Or is it because of the dislike of a wide-open natural space that the City feels “must be filled” — a horror vacui? 

Finally, I have heard from several people that this space, which once housed a children’s home, was given to the county, and then the City, with the proviso that it must be used for the benefit of children. Unless the City views this provision in extremely broad terms, it would seem that a housing development would be counter to the specifications of the donation. 

Would someone from the Review look into some of these questions and concerns in order to bring them to a broader Oberlin audience? 

Thank you. 

Dominique H. Vasseur, OC ’73