COOL CITIES ARE NOT PLANNED

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September 09, 2004

Gr_downtown_1
The Sept. 7th edition of the West Business Michigan News informs us of yet another city planner pitching her wares to G.R.'s downtown crowd. The latest idea is to expand the definiton of downtown Grand Rapids, re-organize its governing bodies, and then re-plan this new bailiwick with a new body to conform to Governor Granholm's "Cool Cities" agenda.

Cool_cities_north_woods
Hmm. First of all, why must Grand Rapids be anything other than what it is? A decent, clean, and orderly middle-sized city with a strong manufacturing and agricultural base only a short drive from some of the most beautiful shoreline in the world, world-class golf courses, the great north woods, and countless sports and fishing lakes, while the charms and luxuries of the big city are less than three hours away in both directions.

Gr_downtown_vanandel_arena
Second, assuming we should want a "cool" Grand Rapids, how do you plan it? It's a quality organic to a community that requires a mixture of factors for its propogation that no one can deliberately bring about or control. You cannot plan a "cool city". Indeed, trying to do so strikes me as very uncool.

Posted on September 09, 2004 at 04:28 PM in River City Saga | Permalink

Comments

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Hey, very wise observation about planning a "cool city". It has to happen organically not by politician decree.
Dan from Portland OR.

Posted by: Dan Jones | April 14, 2007 at 01:37 AM

Hi, Dan.

Thanks for the feedback.

I note you're from Portland, Oregon. In our neck of the woods, Portland is often cited by government officials and planning consultants as a model of city planning. I have also read accounts to the contrary.

What has been your experience?

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director

Posted by: The Executive Director | April 16, 2007 at 09:13 AM

The comments to this entry are closed.

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