In response to Tim Hamill’s letter (July 7), let me clarify the connection I see between the East Ninth Street project and displacement of local artists: It is gentrification. By emphasizing place, the project by its very nature will affect homes and businesses in the vicinity.

If the project attracts “art lovers with deep pockets,” we need to ensure that our local, talented but not deep-pocketed artists can still afford to live and work here. Time must be taken to scrutinize the plan in order to avoid possible unintended consequences of its design features.

It is crucial that prior to the project, or minimally in conjunction with it, the city work with the neighborhood to create a conservation district overlay and appropriate down-zoning for the area north of Ninth Street. Otherwise, I fear too many current residents and business owners won’t be able to stay in the East Ninth Street area to appreciate its fine art.