Blanche Avenue extension

Laid out county auditor records arguing the Hebrew Academy's Blanche Avenue lots were undervalued at $1,000 each and questioned why taxpayers should fund infrastructure for a developer's tax-abated homes.

Detailed alleged undervaluation of vacant lots tied to the Hebrew Academy project — valued at $1,000 despite selling near $100,000 each — costing the city and schools potentially over $1 million in taxes.

A 50-year resident who questioned whether the Hebrew Academy pays taxes on Blanche, warned of serious water/pond problems that could blow past the federal grant, and asked why police and fire weren't part of the meeting.

Questioned the $850,000 HUD grant and the city's ~$1.6 million share given the finance committee's talk of a spending moratorium, called it 'a private driveway for private development,' and asked for a master plan and warned of gentrification.

Said the project has been quietly in the works for three years while he got blank stares at council meetings; wants existing properties and pothole-ridden Bainbridge Road fixed first and opposes any land taking or park entrance on their side.

A retired naval officer who warned about pedestrian safety for Orthodox families walking in the street, suggested a pocket park, a 10-15% green space rule, trading city lots with the Hebrew Academy, and making Revere a dead end to cut traffic.

Called moving the project forward 'unconscionable,' but also credited Orthodox Jewish community representation, noting the Hebrew Academy owns 22 of the 29 parcels, and urged the city to leverage what it learned to help other neighborhoods.

Asked why residents were never told about the 2002-2005 housing reviews or the 65 privately owned lots, and argued the city should pursue new investment elsewhere instead of disrupting a 99-year-old neighborhood.