Residents protest arena expansion at Towson
January 27, 2009
As Towson University President Robert L. Caret began a discussion on the advantages of living near a college community, dozens of residents entered the hall with large signs calling for a halt to a $45 million new arena on the campus. The residents demonstrated at the town hall meeting to which the Greater Towson Committee invited the presidents of Goucher College and Towson University, asking them to discuss resources the schools provide to the community. The presidents and other university officials gave the audience a preview of campus plans, including the $45million arena set for construction next year. The 5,000-seat arena is planned as an addition to the Towson Center building near Osler Drive and has been criticized as intrusive and unnecessary. Opponents have organized into Halt TU Arena Now and are circulating a petition against the project. Caret promised that he would meet with community leaders as soon as possible and said he is willing to consider a different orientation for the addition. "People can trust what I say," Caret said. "I put out facts. And I think we had good dialogue. I'm pleased we're back at the conversation level." Many in the audience said that mistrust is still a major issue. "He cares about the growth of Towson University but not the growth of the community as a whole," said Jean Ottey, who lives in neighboring Rodgers Forge. Mary Gail Hare
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