“Accurate information and meaningful opportunities to participate.” If only such were the case for members of the public who, after more than 10 years of waiting, are beyond eager to support and witness the renovation and repurposing of the historic Germantown YWCA building. But the recent virtual meeting, hosted by Councilwoman Cindy Bass, proved almost farcical (“Developer’s YWCA rendering appears to change ‘Women of Germantown’ into men,” Nov. 5). During the meeting, designated developer KBK Enterprises, benefiting from the warped tradition of councilmanic prerogative, once again demonstrated an unwillingness to be forthcoming and transparent about essential project details.

Repeatedly in the online chat, participants asked about public funds committed to the 51-unit, low-income senior housing development. This question never was answered — was not even acknowledged. And when requested to share funding commitment letters, the KBK staff person serving as the chat monitor responded by saying, “perhaps at a more appropriate time.” For most of the 50-plus people in the meeting, that was the appropriate time.

The ability of the YWCA project to move forward as configured by KBK Enterprises hinges on its request to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Its application is under review. All such submissions require documentation of the proposed funding mix that will complement the tax credit-leveraged investment. Those details should be shared with the public — sources, amounts, and terms — and it should happen now.

Sydelle Zove

Miquon