As a professional with a software, commercial real estate investment and finance background and as a former board member and co-chair of Preserve Rhode Island and a board member of Historic New England, as well as a former member of Bristol’s zoning board, I am disappointed in the opposition to the Belvedere.

I appreciate historic architecture and landscape and helped lead the drive to expand Rogers Library so its design and materials fit into Bristol instead of the Dryvit façade and contemporary windows originally proposed. I also was part of a small group to oppose abandoning Colt and Andrews schools and build an entirely new elementary school at the BWHS a few years ago. So, unlike some who are opposing the Belvedere expansion, I have spent years in Bristol helping to preserve what makes this town unique.

As others have pointed out, Bristol’s building regulations require that new buildings impacted by the sea are elevated, a requirement that existing buildings don’t need to meet. It’s difficult to believe that the Historic District Commission would prefer the flat, industrial style roof which they requested to the peaked roof originally proposed, as it is totally out of context with downtown Bristol.

The Belvedere will add to downtown’s visual appeal and vitality. Its height is lower than many buildings downtown, the materials are in sync and the staggered façade is visually attractive, plus the building meets all parking requirements. Lots of downtown buildings are much taller and more dense that this new building— Judge Roy Bean, Robin Rug, the Burnside Building, the two new and the old mill building at Stone Harbour, just to mention a few.

More importantly, the residents of the 20 new units will shop downtown and be good for economic development — critical given the number of downtown shops that have closed in the last year. It is estimated that 40 new jobs will be created — why would Bristol oppose new jobs?

It’s hard to understand the opposition to the project. Much of the opposition is coming from people who deny that FEMA requires cities and towns to require flood zone elevation — strange, as that is a fact anyone can verify. Others seem to be opposed to any new construction.

A few question the density of 20 apartments in this location, but those objectors apparently aren’t able to do the math to understand the economics of quality construction and the number of units needed to pay for the infrastructure of heating, cooling, sprinklers, underground parking and elevator.

Bristol’s Comprehensive Plan encourages higher density development to avoid urban sprawl, and the R.I. Commerce Department recognized the value of this development to drive economic development in Bristol by awarding significant tax credits to support the project. Support a growing downtown tax base, economic development, jobs and vitality in Bristol by voting in favor of the new Belvedere building.

Georgina Macdonald

180 Ferry Road, Bristol