I met Dana Holt at the library's community room with the other owners in the first row and two city planners along the wall.
She spoke clearly about the proposed hotel, apartments, covered walkway, and retail space. She didn't pretend the rendering was a final plan. The company had not agreed to preserve the upper-floor apartments, though it had budgeted for a limited number of replacement units. The businesses could apply for short-term relocation assistance, but the amounts weren't enough to cover everyone's costs.
I stood when she finished.
"Why is Bellwether Books labeled as a tenant in the rendering?" I asked. "I own the building."
"The design team used a placeholder," Dana said. "The image was never intended to represent a final agreement."
"Then why did your company circulate i
