Make it a park
Don Miller, Emporia
Saturday, September 20, 2008
HATS OFF to John Peterson, my esteemed former colleague, for suggesting a beautiful park at 24th and Industrial. It makes a lot of sense. One must applaud his vision for the future, which could be delightful to the eye and soul of all Emporians.
Does Emporia need more congestion, noise, and light pollution in a residential area? No, the logical progression for retail development is near the turnpike exchange in keeping with existing planning/zoning, which is thoughtful and logical.
Planning/zoning and the city commission will serve future generations best by adopting a plan for a needed park. I sincerely hope the city fathers carefully weigh the risks associated with issuing bonds to help a corporation and out-of-town developer as opposed to protecting and growing existing businesses. Will a cramped retail complex accelerate retail growth or delay it? How many years will it be before Emporians see any benefit? If I had my way, the city leaders would catch John Peterson’s vision.
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Wow lol, this is about a park, instead of ranting on perhaps you should be paying attention to what the article is about.
September 20, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
smith_ron (anonymous) says...
Too much nicotine on the brain.
September 20, 2008 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I like the park idea. The dog park is out there already. That area is just not set up for a lot of heavy traffic and semi trucks would have a hard time with that screwy 24th street. I don't trust the out of town developer pushing the Lowe's development either.
September 20, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
USNretired (anonymous) says...
How about moving some of the development down to where old 50 crosses under the turnpike, and having a park nearer EHS and EMS?
September 20, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I have a question, isn't the parcel of land that the proposed re-zoning entails zoned as agricultural and isn't there already a park on 24th in the area called Dryer Park and why does Emporia need another park ? After all dosen't Emporia already have a water park on the West edge of town that cost a lot of money to develope and has yet to turn a profit ?
Also what is so important about the big push to develope the land near the turnpike exit, could it possibly be because of who owns that tract of land ? I believe the big push to develope that particular tract of land is because of who owns that particular tract of land (certain Emporia families) and that is the only reason for the big push to develope the land.
Now I really don't believe that Emporia needs another retail business now, because Emporia cannot afford any more debt in the way of tax breaks, loans etc., what the government of Emporia needs to be concentrating on is trying to attract more manufacturing industries, etc. that will mean more jobs for present and future Emporians instead of concentrating of more retail businesses that may go belly up if the retail dollar in Emporia is not large enough for them to make a profit and warrant them staying in Emporia. The City government needs to get their priorities straight.
September 20, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
I recently went through Pennsylvania. The steel mills are closed for the most part. Gas and oil production is non-existent because nothing was invested in and old factories could not compete. I have a hard time with folks insisting manufacturing will bring good paying jobs here. The last 60 years have shown the decline of unions and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to 3rd world countries that don't have to worry about minimum wages, OSHA and unions. Why would any manufacturer locate in a place that disavows immigrant labor, tax breaks for any type of business or manufacturer? The vocal minority won't even allow for investment in city infrastructure to attract any type of major employer. Until you develop the quality of life environment, good schools, and convenient shopping as well as entertainment venues, nobody is going to build here and just hope the worker pool will follow. IMO anyway.
September 20, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
One of main reasons I want to see Obama win this election would be a part of a great solution to your questions. Unions in this country have been on decline, republicans have traditionally opposed legislation strengthening them. If Obama gets elected the house will be able to pass a bill that Bush has been blocking for years now giving unions a much easier time organizing. This bill is called the Employee Free Choice Act and would greatly empower unions which would in turn solve a great deal with what has gone wrong with jobs in America. You probably heard about the Wal-Mart fiasco a few weeks back concerning this bill, my position has and will always be that if you fear unions than you are doing something wrong as a company.
September 21, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...
justthefacts, Careful what you say
"Why would any manufacturer locate in a place that disavows immigrant labor, tax breaks for any type of business or manufacturer? Until you develop the quality of life environment, good schools, and convenient shopping as well as entertainment venues, nobody is going to build here"
there are those on these forums that will tell you how dumb you are for that way of thinking.
I for one Agree with you.But just try to tell that idea to Create and Netloafer
September 21, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stardust (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
September 20, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. ( permalink )