This month’s announcement that University Place had dropped its third developer in five years for the $250 million Town Center is raising questions. At this week’s City Council meeting, one resident said the city should scrap the project altogether.

“We’re a bedroom community,” said Brian Stemp. “Do we need a large-scale Town Center?”

The city is giving residents another chance to talk about next steps next week.

What: A roundtable, community meeting on the future of the Town Center project.

When: 7-9 p.m. Monday.

Where: City Hall, 3715 Bridgeport Way W.

Why: The meeting, according to a city flier, is an effort to gather “suggestions in identifying a strategy or different ideas that will allow us to move forward.”

Critics, particularly challengers for the University Place City Council last year, accused leaders of keeping Town Center’s plans and negotiations behind closed doors.

“We heard the message that people wanted a more transparent process,” said Linda Bird, whom colleagues elected mayor this week.

The latest setback: City leaders voted this month to split with the project’s developer, Aaron Lichtman of New York. It cost them $1.75 million in settlement money.

The city did retain the project’s designs, engineering and other intellectual property.

Timeline: Officials say they still plan to build the mix of retail, civic services, lodging, condos and other amenities. They still hope to open the project by late 2009 or 2010.

UP already borrowed $19 million in financing to buy land, build an underground parking garage and make other improvements. It’s also on the hook to build a new branch for the Pierce County Library.

Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653