To the editor:

Sometimes, it is too easy to be cynical. It is proclaimed that a half-million-dollar grant will be used to make East Lawrence more of an artist “place.” For all of us artists in East Lawrence who have helped make East Lawrence the creative “place” that it already is, this is nothing short of insulting.

When this corridor is viewed with major real estate developers busy on both ends of it, and to then see that one of these developers sits on the board of the arts center, the instigators of the grant, the conflict of interest is blatant.

When this same developer is reported to be offering cash for every building along the corridor and, just incidentally, the city inspectors start showing up at these buildings, the collusion of powers-to-be is complete.

What is left out is what the neighborhood wants. The first phase of choosing a design team, the neighborhood was not included in the process.

Until there is a change in the management of this grant and the conflict of interest is nullified, any action should be questioned by the entire city. This is not the way to do business.