Some advice as I've spoken before for downtown parks in Ann Arbor: write down what you will say. Standing up there you tend to forget! When planning out what t

Some advice as I've spoken before for downtown parks in Ann Arbor: write down what you will say. Standing up there you tend to forget! When planning out what to say, the key is to understand the concerns and especially the misconceptions/fallacies of the opposition. In this case, ack the traffic concern, emphasize that you want housing to be above shops, next to mass transit, offsetting that concern (conceptually). Another one: reduce crime and saving police resources -- make downtown a place where more people live and walk to work. It is a boost to your cause if you own a home or local shop, and make sure to mention it as well. Ridiculous but true. Lastly, think about speaking to creating a good community for future generations, nimbys often speak to the near-term and it sounds shallow.