Letter on City Planning
The State Journal Register published today a letter to the editor I wrote. In most major cities it would be considered a non-controversial, conventional sentiment. In Springfield, with our Libertarian attitudes about development, its enough to get me labeled a radical. Here's what I wrote:
I was disappointed to read in The State Journal-Register that The Warehouse complex is closing its doors.Springfield needs more entertainment venues that appeal to young audiences. I was very interested to read the online comments to the story at www.sj-r.com because the comments became a conversation about the chasm between the types of development Springfield residents are asking for and the development we’re getting.
I frequently hear people say they want a grocery store in their own neighborhood, but instead, we’re getting another Super Wal-Mart on the outskirts of town. People often ask for more development downtown, but we’re getting another mall on the southern edge of the city. People ask for commercial development closer to the city center on the east side or along MacArthur Boulevard, but they’re getting another strip mall on the sprawling southwest end.
If the city can change the tax code and spend millions of dollars on road improvements to facilitate sprawl, then we should also be able invest more public funds to enhance the city center. Springfield will never reach its full potential until business and city leaders embrace the idea that all residents should have an opportunity to play a role in how the city grows, even if someone doesn’t have millions to invest.
The city belongs to everyone who lives here so everyone should have a voice.
Will Reynolds, Springfield