Toward common ground
Once more, the Public Life Advocate has looked at all sides of an issue and given background, present status, and prospects for a synergistic coming together over an issue with many stakeholders. Congratulations and thank you.
- Barbara C. St. John
Walkway should be close to river
Responding to the Special Bulletin of June 26, 2006, I want to say that I am in harmony with those observations.
As an old river-rat, I would like to add the statement that walk-way usage will be in proportion to its closeness to the water. An “elevated” walk-way would be “nice”, but it doesn’t attract repetitive use like getting “down to the water.” Considering all aspects, a ground based walk-way that will withstand the occasional flooding seems to be the best answer.
I still say, also, dump a bag of sand at the river bank each spring and have a beach for sun-bathing, wading, and canoe and kayak launching.
- Jay Burns
Good points
Well said. You make excellent points and have good ideas. I appreciate your suggestions and overview.
- Joe Bowen
State Representative
High standards and empathy for property owners key to riverwalk's success
I appreciate that you are stimulating discussion of riverfront development, and your comments and those at Thursday’s public hearing led me to think some more about it.
The work completed has far exceeded my expectations. The BB&T and McConnell plazas are world class in design and execution, and make an extremely positive statement about Owensboro to residents and visitors alike.
Now, to comment on two of your points:
1) You wrote, “Improvements proposed for First Street between the Executive Inn and English Park would be a nice complement to the riverfront improvements. However, this should not supplant the riverfront connection. The aesthetic appeal of using First Street, however enhanced, pales in comparison to the experience of walking, jogging or biking along the riverfront.”
I totally agree, and would put this in even stronger terms. People want a riverfront walk, and the only way to have a riverfront walk is on the riverfront. Whatever else it may be, a walk down First Street is NOT a riverfront walk.
2) You wrote, “Private property owners do not have much of a case in suggesting that government does not have the right to acquire their property for this purpose. Whether city government purchases the property at fair market value (the average of three independent appraisals) or acquires an easement, the walkway essentially will be a public sidewalk to a city park – hardly an unprecedented action by a governmental body.”
Although you are correct that private property can be taken through eminent domain for the riverfront walk, I find your wording of this, shall I say, “cavalier.” Americans -- Kentucky and Daviess County residents in particular -- hate the use of eminent domain, even for roads, let alone “non-necessary” uses such as riverfront walks. Remember the years of turmoil over the “Road to Nowhere” (Byers Avenue extension)? Further, the local school boards traditionally make generous free-market offers for property to avoid such turmoil.
So even if the people want a riverfront walkway, I would not underestimate the power of riverfront property owners to turn a substantial portion of the community against it, precisely because most people dislike forced sales through eminent domain, and may identify, as property owners, with riverfront property owners rather than with city government. The Owensboro City Commission, rarely known for bold leadership, could well buckle under the pressure.
Thus, it is extremely important to treat the riverfront property owners with dignity, and with the highest ethical standards, even if some of them do not return the favor. After all, by rule of law, it is their property that is now deemed to be valuable to the city. I realize fully that some property owners will never be placated, but their concerns must be addressed better than they were at Thursday’s meeting. EDSA representatives seemed to listen well but did not voice any real concern for property owners’ concerns. The company could not even give full assurance that people or trees on the walk would not rise above the yards of property owners.
I trust a more thorough response is forthcoming. Three-dimensional models need to be constructed. Parts of the walk should probably be constructed below the 100-year flood plain. A budget adequate to buy out most property owners without use of eminent domain should be adopted. In short, it is critical that property owners be treated fairly and with respect, and that the public realizes this is the case. If not, the river walk could, at best, end up dividing the community, and, at worst, never be built.
- Paul Morsey
PS: I share your concern that the Smothers Park plan does not allow adequate access to the water. Many people will be disappointed when they see the view and access to the water between St. Ann and Frederica streets disappear. I hope I am wrong but I fear the walk down to the water in the new design will pose security issues and end up being gated off a good part of the time. To me, having virtually everything high above the water is a gargantuan flaw in the entire riverfront development project. I’ve noticed in Evansville people even negotiate the riprap near the museum to get down close to the water.
Speaking of being gated off, I am offended that BB&T Plaza is frequently gated shut by late afternoon, even when the plaza is vacant and not rented for an event. I asked Zev Buffman about this at a recent PRIDE meeting, and he said it is done because skateboarders were ruining the surface. Certainly, there must be an alternative to this plan. Can’t the police see skateboarders from First Street?
Keep up the good work. If the river walk is built, a lot of credit will go to PRIDE and its work at garnering public input.
Creating Great Places
Thanks for the Special Bulletin. I’ve looked through the riverfront plan and sent a question through the City of Owensboro website. It also prompted a quick Internet search of Clinton, Iowa (where I went to high school), a river town with a nice waterfront. This led me to “Iowa’s Great Places” – that possess a sense of place that values historical roots while embracing a shared vision which welcomes, includes and involves both natives and newcomers and promotes itself as a great place.
- Kim Johnson