“Welcome to Citiwire.net! In an era of disparaging governance, some communities do learn to “do it right.” My column focuses on the thoughtful, long-term land conservation advances of the Puget Sound citistate, now reaching out its Olympic Peninsula as well. … Roberta Gratz relays the exciting story of revival strategies in Syracuse , one of those “frostbelt” cities people so easily write off. Two features struck me especially. One was the turnaround of Syracuse University , from the distant and indifferent ivory tower on the hill it had been, to community leader (a great switch for Syracuse , and opportunity for its students, too). And second; the revival leaders in G ratz’s story, fro m activist preservationist to mayor to county executive to university chancellor, are all women. Maybe appropriate for the work of nurturing a city back to health.” — Neal Peirce
Regional Growth Futures: Getting It Right
By Neal Peirce
For Release Sunday, July 18th, 2010
© 2010 Washington Post Writers G roup
Does it always take adversity to get an American region to “get its act together” in planning future growth?
The Puget Sound area anchored by Seattle suggests “no.” G eology and modern economics have blessed the region in astounding ways. There’s the natural legacy of glistening snow-capped mountain peaks and lush Douglas fir beside sparking watersides. Economically, the region’s had such world-renowned economic treasures as Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon.com, excellent ports and vibrant international trade.
Yet there’s been a dark underside to the region’s exuberant growth — to 4.7 million people — over the last decades. I vividly recall a 1989 helicopter ride marked by spectacular views of Mount Rainier, a rainbow at Snoqualmie Falls and picturesque villages. But I could also see bulldozed “progress” — a plethora of scarred hilltops, deep cuts into the magnificent evergreen tapestry.
Redeveloping an Old City the Right (Thoughtful) Way
By Roberta Brandes G ratz
For Release Sunday, July 18, 2010
Citiwire.net
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — “Rightsizing the city” has a different meaning here than in cities where the demolition of vacant homes is the primary but historically fruitless solution. In this upstate post-industrial city, an extraordinary coalition has come together around a multi-faceted policy of regeneration by adding the positive rather than straining to remove the negative.
No one seems left out of the loose partnership among the mayor, university chancellor, assorted neighborhood groups and business associations. The positive spirit is palpable just talking to local residents and activists and viewing reviving rundown areas spread around town.
“There is a ‘can do’ sense throughout the city,” says designer and preservation activist Beth Crawford, “a sense that neighborhoods can fight for what they need and want, oppose demolitions, achieve good planning and needed enforcement.”
