While we're engaging in utopian fantasies...
The Chronicle's Jennifer Friedberg writes that some Houstonians continue to believe in METRO as an economic development organization (as opposed to a regional transit/mobility organization):
Residents who attended the Southeast Corridor workshop on Wednesday night said they are hopeful that Metro rail will bring redevelopment to their forgotten neighborhood.
[snip]
Robert Thomas, a University Oaks resident who is also the executive director of the non-profit Center for Social and Economic Empowerment, which focuses on the Third Ward, said while the rail will not directly go through his neighborhood it will go near it, and he is hoping it will bring redevelopment.
"We need upgraded residential dwellings in our neighborhood, elimination of the blight and commercial development and overall beautification," he said. "It's been an ignored area."
Thomas said he would like to see dilapidated homes torn down and rebuilt, and businesses such as grocery stores, drug stores and restaurants come to the area.
Lori Davis, a Southview resident who is also the program director for the Center for Social and Economic Empowerment, said she would like to see more mixed use residential and commercial development in her neighborhood.
"I'm hoping as a result of the rail coming through it will foster redevelopment of the community," she said. "You've got to have something to support the rail."
I'm hoping that as a result of ill-conceived light rail being laid down busy streets, crime that has skyrocketed under the White Administration will start to decline.
Why not, so long as we're dreaming about things that really have no connection to light rail.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 05/01/07 11:06 PM | Houston Transit | Print | Comments (8)
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