Below is a sample local news article written in the “Inverted Pyramid” style (most important info first) as prescribed by the Somerset Playbook and the NPR guide . I have followed the examples set by the Kerrville Daily Times and The Lead by focusing on community impact, specific local data, and human quotes.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: City Communications Office | (555) 123-4567 | press@cityville.gov
City Council Votes Unanimously to Transform Old Mill Site into Riverfront Park, Avoiding Tax Increase
CITYVILLE, March 3, 2026 — The City Council voted 7-0 late Tuesday night to approve the conversion of the abandoned Acme Mill property into a 12-acre riverfront park, settling a decade-long debate over the fate of the contaminated brownfield site without raising property taxes.
Why it matters: The decision ends years of uncertainty regarding the 110-year-old textile mill, which has sat vacant since 1998. By leveraging $4.2 million in state remediation grants and a private land donation, the city will transform an environmental liability—once slated for luxury condos—into public green space accessible to the Riverside and Downtown neighborhoods .
The details: The project, dubbed “Riverwalk Commons,” will feature a dog park, a kayak launch, and a memorial walkway honoring former mill workers. Construction is expected to begin in July, with a projected opening in Spring 2027.
- Cost to residents: $0 (Capital costs covered by grants and the non-profit Cityville Land Trust).
- Tax Impact: No millage rate increase; the council rejected a proposal to float $1.5 million in municipal bonds.
“We are not just cleaning up pollution; we are stitching the fabric of this community back together,” said Mayor Susan Vance during the meeting. “For too long, the mill has been a fence we look at. Now, it will be a place we gather.”
Background: The 8.3-acre parcel had been the subject of fierce debate since 2019. Developers previously pushed for mixed-income housing, while a local referendum in 2023 narrowly favored green space. The winning proposal emerged after the Acme Heirs Family Trust unexpectedly donated an adjacent 3.7-acre parcel last month, making the park viable without high-density housing .
What they are saying:
“My grandfather worked that loom for 40 years. He breathed in that lint. To know my grandkids will fish off that same bank instead of looking at a locked gate—that’s the kind of progress that doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet.”
— Thomas Ricci, 67, President of the Riverside Neighborhood Association
Opposition: Not all residents are satisfied. Councilmember Linda Chen, while voting yes, voiced concerns regarding long-term maintenance liabilities.
“I support the park, but we are creating a $500,000 annual operations cost starting in 2028. We need a dedicated trust fund now, not later, or we risk letting this park fall into the same disrepair as the mill.”
— Linda Chen, City Council, Ward 3
What’s Next:
The city will host a community input session on March 20 at 6:00 PM at Cityville High School Auditorium to discuss design preferences for the playground and memorial features. Residents can also view the preliminary site plan online at www.cityville.gov/riverwalk .
Visuals Available:
- Drone footage of the current mill site (courtesy Cityville Drone Club).
- Rendering of the proposed Kayak launch.
- File photo of the mill in operation, circa 1962.
Media Availability:
Mayor Vance and City Planner David Oka will be available for one-on-one interviews at the mill parking lot at 11:00 AM on Thursday.
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