A letter to the Plain Dealer from Brian Cummins of Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (this is the original... an edited version may be printed):
From: Brian J. Cummins
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 4:45 PM
To: 'letters@plaind.com'
Subject: Letter-to-the-Editor, re: 3-2-05 Boneyard Commons
Dear Editor:
Regarding your editorial “Boneyard Commons” on Wednesday March 2nd, everyone involved should lower their voices about Steel Yard Commons and come back to the economic development table. Your editorial took the lead in trying to identify a “bad guy” and blame him or her for the disruption of a project not thoroughly planned.
Councilmember Cimperman is not the enemy of business or development because he sought answers to important questions. The mayor and council president are not the enemies of neighborhood businesses because they sought to attract the investment. The AFL-CIO is not the enemy of Cleveland because it sought to protect local grocers in which the city has made major investments. Attributing bad motives to any of these leaders is not in the spirit of good public policy.
An objective economic impact analysis regarding “big box” retail in Cleveland is still needed. It will serve to get everyone speaking from a common understanding of both the needed benefits and potential detriments associated with “big box” development. From that study an appropriate, or at a minimum, a more informed economic development policy can be crafted that reduces the negative impacts and accommodates positive development.
After such a study, reasonable people may still disagree on what is best for retail and economic development but they will do so with knowledge shared by all. Identifying a “bad guy” is misleading and not productive given the true need for sustainable economic development that includes job creation and ensuring the vitality of our neighborhoods while providing our residents with retail choices comparable to the suburbs. So, everyone, please lower your voices and come back to the table, there is much needed work to be done.
Sincerely,
Brian J. Cummins
Executive Director
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation