The prime focus at the recent RCA annual meeting was the West Jackson Highway Master Plan, a proposal to develop some 5,700 acres on the southern and eastern borders of Rosemont, with over 14,000 residences, major commercial and employment areas, schools, parks and open spaces. It is estimated this will occur over 25 years or so, and likely will not begin for 5 or more years as all the studies, reviews and approvals are processed. This is just one of five large development proposals near enough to Rosemont to have serious impacts on us. Another proposal, Aspen 1, at the Southwest corner of Watt and Jackson, envisions about 133 acres of housing and commercial space, including a school. And three other projects north of Jackson, east of Excelsior, south of Mather Airport and west of Sunrise will bring similarly large developments. At present much of the traffic all these will create will use Bradshaw and Watt for access. And they will also compete with retail services as Rosemont tries to redevelop its commercial base.
But even before dirt is turned, this kind of a project will have serious impact on the neighboring existing communities such as Rosemont. That is why RCA is focusing such attention on it – so that our community does not deteriorate as resources and attention are directed to the new developments.
The RCA Board approved taking seven actions to study possible impacts, both positive and negative, on Rosemont, and to seek funds to do a fiscal analysis of our present financial condition and options to improve it. This will be a multi-year effort, as there are numerous options we might pursue, each with its own pros and cons. At present, it will be important for all in Rosemont to become aware of the proposals and be thinking of the pros and cons of our options and which they might prefer. RCA hopes to lead an open, objective and inclusive discussion so that whatever action is taken it serves the long-term best interests of our Rosemont community.
We urge all interested in the future of Rosemont to follow these developments closely and offer ideas to RCA. We hope they will present beneficial opportunities to make Rosemont even better.
