Two companies that would be neighbors of the relocated Drop Inn Center in Queensgate are expressing concerns about the plan.
A city council committee heard from proponents of the plan two weeks ago, and Tuesday it heard from representatives of two companies that say they need more information.
Richard Posey is with K4, an architecture, design and construction firm with a facility in Queensgate. He said one issue is security and safety for employees.
“Many of the perceived fears around these types of centers are just that, they’re fears and they’re perceptions,” Posey said. “But quite frankly those perceptions actually have more consequences on human behavior than the reality of things.”
Officials with the Drop Inn Center and 3CDC, which is helping with the location, have been meeting with nearby neighbors in Queensgate. They are working on an agreement to satisfy the various concerns.
Jerry Reichert is with CBT, an industrial automation supplier with two facilities and 155 employees in Queensgate. It is located north of the proposed Drop Inn Center site.
Reichert said he wants Council to consider his firm’s business issues and mitigate some of its risks if the plan moves forward.
“We have no aspirations or intentions to be unjustly enriched from these options,” Reichert said. “Rather we are only focused on perpetuating, protecting the long-term interest of our customers, suppliers, employees, family members and the city.”
Reichert said the center relocation does not make sense with the city's plans for redeveloping Queensgate.
City council could vote next month on an ordinance that would allow the Drop Inn Center relocation to move forward.
Construction on the new facility could begin this summer and be completed in the fall 2015.
