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Columbia: A City of Choice, Not Chance
December 11, 2007
Dear Friends:
What kind of 21st century city will Columbia become? As I pen this mail, I am attending the 25th International Waterfront Conference in Boston sponsored by The Waterfront Center, a nonprofit organization focused on the responsible development of urban waterfronts. I have come to Boston to learn more about how cities across this country have embraced rivers and waterfront areas to provide new living, work, and recreation spaces that enhance quality of life and fuel economic development.
Once Again, We Can Face Our Riverfront
In listening to the compelling stories of various cities, I am reminded that Columbia was created in 1786 as a "planned city" and state capital and that its location on the banks of the Congaree River was no accident. Early South Carolina leaders knew that the city's site close to the river would spur economic development for both the new capital and our state. From our city's earliest history, the Congaree River was intricately linked to our future and quickly became a vital part of its economic growth.
Will we be able to tap this great natural resource again to draw the new economy to Columbia and help define our 21st century city?
In recent years, city leaders have seen the tremendous potential of our riverfront location. I commend City Council for its support of the Three Rivers Greenway (especially Councilwoman Anne Sinclair), and its establishment of partnerships with other governmental bodies in the Midlands and with USC, the Guignard family (especially Charles Thompson), and existing property owners to chart a vision for the riverfront development and the Innovista Master Plan.
The Innovista Plan provides a research space with USC to incubate and nurture clean, high tech economic development and includes a waterfront park that completes the Columbia side of the Three Rivers Greenway. It creates a vibrant urban amenity with water features, sculpture gardens, walking and cycling paths, and an amphitheater for the enjoyment of all of our residents. There will be a mixed- use plaza for restaurants, shops, and galleries. Once again, Columbia residents will turn our faces to the river to embrace its beauty, opportunities and possibilities.
Getting it Right
While in Boston I traveled to nearby Watertown to meet with representatives of Sasaki Associates, the internationally recognized consultants for the Innovista Master Plan. Sasaki is a world class firm and its projects include the magnificent Charleston Waterfront Park. City Council recently endorsed Sasaki's conceptual plan. As we move forward to our next steps we must ensure that our riverfront initiatives be developed with the expectation of excellence at every phase and that community voices continue to be heard on plans to grow and develop. We simply cannot risk the possibility of jeopardizing this incredible natural resource.
The Riverfront and the Creative Class
As your City Council member from District 3, I would welcome the opportunity to help move these initiatives forward and assure public access for all the great benefits they will produce. I know that these initiatives will play an important role in defining our future and attracting new entrepreneurs to our city, individuals that Dr. Richard Florida describes as "The Creative Class." A noted urban economist, Dr. Florida served as the keynote speaker for the EngenuitySC conference in October and delivered thought provoking sessions on "Cities of the Future" with our business and civic leaders. I attended his sessions and found his presentations to be both insightful and stimulating.
Dr. Florida maintained that we are in the midst of a dramatic economic transformation, similar in its impact to the shift from an agricultural to an industrial society, in which "creative" talent and entrepreneurship will drive economic growth. He argued that Columbia's ability to participate and embrace the new economy will depend on our ability to retain, attract, and grow the creative class. And how do we do this? Columbia must be identified as a city with four critical attributes: talent, technology, tolerance, and territorial assets (natural resources that create a sense of "place"). It is clear to me that the plans now underway for our riverfront development can be a key part of Columbia's identification as a 21st century "creative class" city.
Of course there is creativity already here in the heart and soul of each Columbia resident. We must be proactive in developing it and in embracing and celebrating our diversity. The support of our arts and cultural offerings is an important investment in our infrastructure. As your next city council member, I would work to build partnerships with business, neighborhood, and community groups to support our young people and grow our arts and cultural organizations. Without question, each of us deserves the rich nourishment that a vibrant community offers in developing the creative spirit, and I envision the riverfront as one of many inspirational settings in which creativity and talent will flourish.
Columbia: A City of Choice, Not Chance
To be certain, I believe that my first responsibility as a City Council member would be to ensure excellence in the provision of basic city services including safety, police and fire protection. I would expect the highest standards in management practices for our city administration that will inspire public confidence in city governement operations. Further, I would be an advocate for proactive collaboration with city stakeholders to chart our future. Our 21st century city must be the one that we choose it to be and not one of chance. The decisions that our Council makes must ensure that all growth contributes to the overall well being of every resident of our city.
Please know that I welcome your perspectives about how our city utilizes its riverfront and positions itself for the future. Send me an email and let's discuss this in greater detail.
Public Sessions on Columbia's Master Plan
I also hope that you will attend the city sponsored sessions on Columbia's growth to provide input on the city's master plan for the next decade, The Columbia Plan. The remaining sessions are scheduled for:Thursday, November 8, 6 PM - 9 PM at Woodland Park, 6500 Old Knight Parkway
Thursday, November 15, 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM at City Council Chambers
I look forward to seeing you in the near future.
Sincerely yours,
Belinda Gergel