I agree with nearly every word in Executive Ulman's most recent speech. But who doesn't? Although very well written in a linguistic sense, it lacks the depth and details that I was expecting. I can summarize the entire speech as follows: "We should try to make Columbia a better place". Great, I agree. But what about the details of how to do that? The details are, after all, where the devil lives.
The village centers have really taken it on the chin in the form of competition from big box stores, and even not so big box stores like Trader Joe's (or as someone I know calls it, "Taco Joe's"). Consumers have expressed their preference for the newer, sexier stores. Although many of the new stores are within the Columbia city limits, that is probably irrelevant to their impact on the village centers. Even if every one of these fancier stores were in Ellicott City, Maple Lawn, or some other non-Columbia address in Howard County, the village centers would feel the pinch. Therefore, the village center concept clearly has to evolve to remain relevant in the face of this newer breed of commercialization. I think putting apartments in the village centers with ground floor retail is a refreshingly great idea, and I am glad to see that the County is willing to loosen the leash on zoning laws to let the village centers evolve. I have my eye on the King's Contrivance Village Center. Like the tide, it would not surprise me to see the new Harris Teeter raise the level of all ships in that Village Center. Time will tell.
By the way, have you noticed that Ulman likes to use the phrase "let me be clear: blah blah blah" in his speeches? That is becoming a real trademark. Just a random observation.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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"We should try to make Columbia a better place".
Nope, not it.
[T]he village center concept clearly has to evolve to remain relevant in the face of this newer breed of commercialization.
That's it. And though that may seem like common sense to you -- a non-sentimental, free marketeer -- others are in need of some convincing, which was the point of the entire speech and which also explains the lack of details at this point.
This newer breed wouldn't have anything to do with campaign contributions, right? Just checking, thanks to Eludius.
The lack of details is not forthcoming, unless it's in the form of, "Oh, look! They've built a new [tower, wegman's, mega walmart, empire state building]"
People not only want to be heard, but they want to make a difference - isn't that what you, Hayduke, said in your own post? People don't just want to be heard, they want to impact decisions that are rightly in their perview to impact.
Those on the 'inside' assume we all want to be there, wrongly so. They (you?) also assume we normal citizens are sheep/turnip truck passengers/ignorant. But maybe its the insiders who are not getting it, this time.
Thanks for the info, Hayduke. My biggest disappointment with the speech was that I was expecting a book and got a one-page flyer. I suppose the speech was targeted to a particular type of citizen, one who believes that the VCs can survive if the government would only "do something" to help them.
I guess the downside of a planned community is that it can't react and change with the market as quickly as other communities. There will be some pain until the VCs can find a new niche.
FM: I think of it more as the introduction. The book is being written...by 95,000-plus authors. To be sure, there are many specific ideas floating around both internally and externally (see the New Town Zoning Task Force report from last summer for some), but the final product is still uncertain.
Anon: I'm not taking the bait -- you're going to believe what you want about me, my intentions and those of my coworkers anyway.
If, however, you have any thoughts you'd like to share about the future of village centers, feel free to send them to villagcenters@howardcountymd.gov. We're all ears.
I have no idea what 'bait' your talking about.
Maybe you've misunderstood, but I didn't think there was much room for misinterpretation.
I seriously believe that many poliltical insiders are not seeing reality on this Village Center and Columbia growth issue. How can that be twisted into baiting?
Anon,
You're wasting your time in trying to "talk" with Hayduke. He only sees things one way and anyone who disagrees is dismissed.
Notice how Hayduke implies that all 95,000 residents of Columbia are involved in the rewriting of the Town Center plan. Funny, but I don't recall all 95,000 residents attending the charette or any of the other Town Center Planning events. In fact, most of the residents either don't care about it or are OPPOSED to it.
Hayduke will never engage you concrete facts or issues. He'll focus on how you mistyped one word and thereby dismiss your assertion as incorrect without ever addressing your points one at a time with any specific refutation.
But, good luck trying.
"In fact, most of the residents either don't care about it or are OPPOSED to it."
Huh?
How can "most" residents be opposed to the town center master plan if they don't care about it?
-wb
He/she said "or". Goodness, for a wordbones you sure do miss the key words.
The statement is still misleading.
While I would wholeheartedly agree that "most residents" don't care about the town center master plan, it would be grossly incorrect to say that "most residents" oppose it.
-wb
Slightly off topic, but:
This reminds me of the Bush administration offical who said that "Bin Laden is either dead, in Pakistan, or somewhere else."
That only leaves out the possiblity that he never existed in the first place.
Ok. I see that some people won't speak logically - that's ok.
But if you think these readers/public are really that stupid, maybe they're hiring at the broadcast networks...
WB,
I did say "or". That does not mean that the majority of the 95,000 residents oppose it. It simply means that they either don't care OR they oppose it. Which is exactly what I said the first time.
The point being that although 300 residents did attend the charette OR support the Town Center Plan, that is hardly a mandate for the change in the first place, let alone the massive impact the changes (if ever implemented) would have on the surrounding area and Town Center itself.
In fact, most of the residents don't realize what is being thrust upon them, and probably won't until it's too late. But, alas, that's exactly how the County officials want it.
They won't even support giving all residents legal standing to challenge the inappropriate actions the County takes (ie: Comp Lite), which I can understand since the County would end up being overruled on a LOT of things.
So much for transparency in the process. Sigh...
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