Never again can we allow another fiasco like the one that occurred in 2005 at Lawrence and Laramie. To make a long story short, the city used $1.4 million of our tax dollars to purchase two lots; both of which sit vacant and unused til this day.
The key is that we must plan for our development as a community, and evaluate and adapt as circum stances dictate. We need to remove blight and attract “anchor” businesses like Starbucks and Panera Bread to show other smaller businesses that our community is stable and ready for development.
We will have an economic development liaison who will work with small businesses to expedite the licensing process (for free) and help them cut through the red tape that is City Hall. Our office will become a partner with local businesses to help them to prosper within our community.
We will also pay close attention to the types of businesses that open up in our neighborhoods; enough with the massage parlors and payday loan offices.
The first step to economic development is producing a master plan that is publicly available. That involves a four step process.
• Define the measurable objectives of the ward’s economic development, and this involves neighbor hood orga nizations, businesses, residents, and other key opinion leaders.
• Establish the key tactics that are necessary to meeting those objec tive goals.
• Implement and measure the master plan against the objectives.
• Adapt and review objectives as circum stances change.
I will be an Alderman who works for the community, NOT campaign donations!
