Throwing gasoline on the bonfire...

The current problems with Ypsilanti's Water Street project is and has been covered by several of Ypsi's better known blogs-- Mark Maynard (markmaynard.com), bless him, is trying on somewhat of a short notice to engender an adult and constructive chat about the current woes of Water Street at Cafe Luwak in Depot Town tomorrow night. I expect and hope that some positive ideas get bandied about.

Mark is right-- It's time for the finger pointing to stop, along with all the "See, didn't I tell you's..." We, the residents are in this together, and it's our own bootstraps that we need to be tugging on. The blaming of people, again, has to stop-- Many of those somewhat responsible for this current mess, are long gone. As an aside, I can't recall the number of times I've seen people post on some other blogs calling for Megan Gibb's head-- Let it rest, people! She's also "long gone," having left to work on Portland Oregon's "South Waterfront" project, and at least judging from this article, it looks like she jumped from the pan into the fire.

I've long been a proponent of "down-sizing" this project-- Which is not something that comes easily to me, having been "shortened" once myself. Don't get me wrong. I for one, love grand projects on grand scales-- It's one of the pinnacles of mankind, in my view. Still, I think it's imperative that we parcel off the land that fronts Michigan Ave., for a start. Sell it-- And sell it fast. Sadly, I feel that this is what Ypsi must do, we can't afford to squat on these properties, like Ann Arbor or even Canton Twp. are able to. On the other hand, I'm for holding onto the land fronting the river, safe guarding it for better times... I like the idea of having a garden-like walking path connecting to the park across the river-- Some day. Also, I remember reading somewhere on someone else's blog that the proposed Walgreens for the corner at Prospect be moved down the hill, to maybe the corner at Park st. I urge this. I urge this strongly, or at least, other things along this train of thought. To rant a bit: While I agree with Mark that the finger-pointing stop, I also believe it's time to stop forming all these endless city-driven committees/panels to "come up with strategies" to offset the latest setbacks. We're in the "hole" now, that's all the "setback" we need to acknowledge.

My thoughts? I think we need to tear Water Street down to it's nuts and bolts, one final time, and scrutinize everything-- See what has to be done, in what sort of time frame that slams the city, and its inhabitants the least. I also feel our elected officials should be hamstrung by their electorate-- A special (costly?) public referendum if necessary, one that outlines what they can and cannot do in our name, and how the monies are to be spent. Somewhat harsh, I know. I feel like a Soviet Kommissar for saying that, but maybe it should be said, all the same. They, and their hired "experts" have had their chance, more than their chance, I think. I further feel, that they should not be allowed to make anymore financial-type moves, at least not of the "shifty" kind unless their public has previously given them the greenlight to do so. In a way, it could be somewhat freeing for them, to be tied is such a fashion-- Especially if things go from bad to worse. Then they can point the finger at us, as well.

-- Rob ( Whoops! No link! Apparently an old web page-- Just go to www.wweek.com and use their search function on articles about Portland's "South Waterfront" project... looks like a big headache, to say the least-- But at least its moving forward!!