I was walking precincts today in and around the downtown neighborhoods - the Webster and Winchell Elementary neighborhoods. I met some terrific people who have owned their homes in these neighborhoods, in some cases, for up to 60 years. Of course, this area has seen more than its fair share of decline in the last 20 years. However, there are still elements of vibrancy - homeownership, beautiful trees, people populating their front yards and talking with neighbors, and great access to downtown. I believe these older neighborhoods have an excellent chance of being revitalized and are worthy of investment of time, energy and resources. As the next mayor, I look forward to working with neighborhood and other local leaders to develop actionable plans for transforming our older neighborhoods. |