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Forest City has long been criticized for not following through on its’ affordable housing plan laid out in the green book. At this time, they are only at half the percentage of affordable homes originally promised. “We will get there,” said Forest City President Phil Dargossi. “You have to understand, we have only had ten years to get to the number. Give us another ten, and we will get there.” Dargossi mentions that they have made an effort to put affordable housing in Stapleton, but the higher end homes bring in more money. “It is much better for us financially to continue to build upper income housing,” says Dargossi. “If there was only a way for us to make the same amount of money and build affordable housing, we would totally do it.” Forest City has made some efforts to create affordable housing in Stapleton which include:

• Urban Homes in Conservatory Green
• Houseboats in Bluff Lake
• Redefining “Affordable Housing”

Dargossi also mentions he did not feel the city felt that the affordable housing promises were sincere. “These contracts are a lot like wedding vows,” said Dargossi. “You have the best intentions when you say these things, but you know it’s not all going to work out perfectly.” Dargossi also questions whether affordable housing is something current residents would like. “Every time we even mention figuring out a way to cram in some affordable housing, the community wants to have 50 meetings about it. Almost as if they are filibustering our efforts to follow through.” Dargossi says they will relook at the affordable housing plan, and see what immediate steps can be taken. “Now that we know that the city and some residents are serious about the community being diverse and having affordable housing, we will try to fulfill our original promise.” ]]>

Forest City is changing the name of the Eastbridge area north of MLK to Prison View Estates. “We think it classes up the area to have “Estates” in the name,” said Forest City Spokesperson Janelle Ayers. “It makes the residents sound more important than residents in other parts Stapleton.” [Read more…] about North Eastbridge Changing Name to Prison View Estates

Residents in Eastbridge were long ago promised a grocery store in the nearby town center, but most residents have all but given up that hope. “We were told it was going to be completed five years ago,” says Eastbridge resident Steve May. “We would hear some rumors about one thing or another, but knew that we would basically have to do our grocery shopping at the car wash [Read more…] about Forest City Actually Getting “Serious Response” from Grocer Considering Eastbridge

The Stapleton Beer Festival is expected to be bigger again this year, and Stapleton dad’s are preparing for the festivities. “It is a great event,” says Stapleton dad Scott Carman. “It’s local, so I am not far, and I get to try lots of beers. The truth is, I don’t care a ton about what they taste like, but I get to try a lot of them.” [Read more…] about Innovative Dads Create Ways to Manage Family and Beer Festival

The new elementary school in Stapleton, Isabella Bird, plans to be a tremendous school for mathematics, reading, and science, but also plans to be much more than that. “We want to be a leader in technology, world languages, arts, and even discuss social justice as well as environmental sustainability,” said new Principal Sue Ackerman. “We want our kids to come in as kindergartners, but leave in sixth grade with the knowledge of a first year grad student.” [Read more…] about Isabella Bird Already WAY too Serious to be Elementary School

Several Park Hill residents are leaving Park Hill and heading to Stapleton. “We fought it for a long time,” said Park Hill resident Sunny Hansen. “But finally, there was just too much we were missing out on in Stapleton, so we are making the move.” With the new construction in Stapleton, most Park Hill buyers have been able to find a home in Stapleton. “It was a little bit of a process, but we settled on a place being built in Bluff Lake,” says Hansen. [Read more…] about Park Hill Home Sellers: “We’re Really Close to Stapleton”

To celebrate the Sam Gary Library’s one year anniversary, the Library had Mayor Hancock on hand to do a reading of Inferno by Dan Brown from his Amazon Kindle. Those attending the event thought it was a great way to celebrate the anniversary of Stapleton’s library. “It is always great to see the mayor taking an active interest in your community,” said event-goer Julie Clifford. “Next time, maybe he will read from a book, but really, who reads from books anymore? [Read more…] about Sam Gary Library Featured Kindle Reading by Mayor Hancock

Recently, the Stapleton Mom’s Yahoo Group once again exposed a major Stapleton issue: golf carts. It appears that the almost tens of golf carts that drive around Stapleton have become a big nuisance for many residents. “I saw one going about 12 miles an hour in our residential area,” said concerned resident Joe Clinton. “They had young kids safely buckled in the back seats, were driving safely, but I just had a feeling something bad could happen at any time. We need to get these things off the road. In fact, that should be our number one priority. Get golf carts out of Stapleton, then cure cancer. But carts first.” Another resident viewed something even more disturbing. “I saw a driver of a cart throw an unidentifiable bottle into a dumpster,” said Timothy Steiner. “I assume it was a beer bottle, and furthermore, I will assume the driver was drunk.” Steiner says that next time he will take proper action. “I will definitely call 911 the next time I see a golf cart. From my very limited understanding of what 911 is for, I understand that the emergency response team will be very excited to hear from someone talking about a golf cart driving on the road, and in no way will this distract them from other potential emergencies.” Steiner believes that if for some reason a S.W.A.T. team does not show up immediately to take down the lawbreaker, he and other citizens should take this issue into their own hands. “I encourage anyone who sees a golf cart to vandalize it. Seriously, if there is anything you don’t like about other residents in your neighborhood, just vandalize their crap.” Golf cart owners feel they are getting unfairly judged. “I drive my cart safely and responsibly,” says Nicole Beatty. “We simply use it to go to the pool or go to a close-by neighbors place. I really don’t understand the hostility.” Some non-cart owners agree. “This has to just be jealousy, right?,” says resident Dan Brody. “Who gives a sh#t about golf carts? I can’t believe you’re asking me these questions.” Although there are differing opinions in regards to cart drivers, one thing is for certain. This issue has to be addressed before another three or four Stapleton residents purchase these menacing vehicles. “If something doesn’t happen soon, I will simply move,” said Steiner. And Stapleton cannot afford to lose vocal, concerned residents like Steiner. ]]>