William G. Faust Jr. is a resident of Dover.
I witnessed the Dover Parks, Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee voting to pass the active recreation plan for the multiuse complex on Governors Avenue (“Dover committee approves active recreation plan for Governors Avenue mixed-use building”). Councilman Brian Lewis was the only one with the smarts and bravery to vote against this legislation.
According to the committee meeting and the article I read, this proposal plans:
Let’s be realistic and practical in this matter. The only individuals guaranteed to make a profit will be the developers and realty agents at this point in time. There are no signed contracts at all.
Let’s take an imaginary stroll downtown, if this proposal were to pass. You can walk out of the new restaurant and purchase drugs from the corner dealer for dessert. Children who are living in the 120 new apartments can learn mathematics and how to count money from the pimps who work in the area. Kids can learn sex education from the prostitutes on the corners. The youngsters can learn life skills from the homeless individuals panhandling nearby. Plus, the children can learn to say no to drugs from the dealers downtown.
Wow, this sounds like an area where I would want to move my corporation and family to live and thrive in. Sorry, poor joke. As it is now, the downtown area is not conducive to bringing in families and businesses.
Like the movie says, “If you build it, (they) will come.” But downtown Dover was not considered when this was written. Clean up the area completely, and maybe the project will have a slight chance.
As it stands, I only see good money and revenue being spent unwisely.
In closing, this is a serious question we need to have answered. If the downtown project fails to produce the desired revenue and effect that was promised, who is going to be held accountable?
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
