To the editor:

Suffolk City Council will meet to decide the fate of the former site of the Louise Obici Memorial Hospital on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

This is the last open urban space in the downtown area. This space is for everyone. When the current Virginia Department of Transportation property becomes available, that land, too, can join the Obici site.

Water, water everywhere but the people of downtown and the surrounding area have no access to these assets.

The citizens fighting to save this piece of land are ready to contract with experts from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia to develop a plan to show the economic benefits of open space over apartments.

Grants and funding are available at no cost to the taxpayer to help with this plan. We need time to initiate a feasibility study to show how urban space can meet the city’s economic challenges.

At the same time, partnering with the city on this issue would enhance the many goals the leadership of Suffolk is keen to achieve over the coming decades. A vote to delay their decision is essential.

Let your council members know that you care by coming out Wednesday in support.

Stella W. Payne

Suffolk