Allow me to introduce myself   
  My name is McKay Graham. I am 21 years old and a resident of Live Oak, Florida, I was born and raised in this beautiful small town, and so were the majority of my family members. Generations of families have lived, worked, and built their lives here.

   Today, I’m reaching out with deep sincerity and urgency to ask for your support and assistance in addressing an issue that has the potential to drastically alter the safety of our community.

  I have spent almost my entire life living next door to the property on 11th Street. The people of this neighborhood are more than just faces—I know almost everyone here personally. We are a tight-knit community of kind, hardworking individuals who know and trust one another. This familiarity, this sense of connectedness, is under threat. 
  A property on our street has recently been purchased with plans to construct a hotel, apartment complex, and a 7-Eleven convenience store directly facing the Coliseum/Armory. 
  To quote a mother with small children in this neighborhood “I don’t even want to think about some creep on the 4th floor watching my babies play in their own backyard.” 

  I want to make it clear that I am fully in favor of growth and progress. I understand that change is necessary for any community to thrive.  This development isn't right for our area, and I believe it never will be. 
  The infrastructure here, especially during school hours, is already under immense pressure with traffic that can only be categorized as a nightmare. Any addition of high-traffic developments will explicitly exacerbate this already critical situation. We urge the municipal authorities to reconsider these plans and prioritize the safety, comfort, and overall wellbeing of our community over commercial developments. 
  Beyond traffic concerns, there are broader implications that must be seriously considered. An increase in population density or commercial activity often brings a rise in crime, more frequent accidents, and a host of other social and safety-related issues. These aren’t just hypothetical concerns—they are real, documented patterns that emerge when areas are pushed beyond their capacity.



  I would like to help put this into perspective for everyone.


Red – where they are proposing to build the hotel, apartments, and 7-Eleven 

Green – the armory 

Blue – the coliseum 

Orange – the hospital  

  While I support thoughtful development, it must be done with careful planning, proper location selection, and genuine consideration for the people who already live here. Unfortunately, this proposal falls short on all fronts.  

  Please sign our petition and join us in preserving the integrity of our beloved neighborhood. 
  We will be presenting this petition to city officials on the day of the meeting, April 30th, 2025. Held at Suwannee County Agricultural Coliseum (1302 11th St SW, Live Oak, FL, 32064) 

Please feel free to join our Facebook group to stay updated on information and events. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GxRRXvmrw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thank you ❤️