In a time where an Economic Development Commission could be working proactively to encourage and foster new & re-development in the future, it is still unfortunate to hear from one member that they're still taking two steps back. From Franklin blogger and member of the EDC, John Michlig:
Our discussion -- held with three members absent -- regarded possible incentives for developers wanting to build in Franklin. I am generally against subsidies; however, I brought up the idea of offering certain incentives in exchange for "placemaking" considerations by a potential builder or developer. Locating in the City Civic Center district, for instance, rather than out on the outskirts of town; adding neighborhood-access amenities; creating an innovative site plan; revitalizing an empty property; etc.
More than one of my fellow commissioners disagreed out of hand, riffing on the "Business will tell you where it wants to go" mantra. In other words, Let the chips fall where they may; let developers build where and how they see fit.
And how's that worked for us so far?
Well, Franklin's unofficial motto remains "there's no 'there' there." So much for a "sense of place."
The
city budget shortfall, strained by the demands of sprawled
infrastructure, requires service cut after service cut - including
possible public safety cutbacks.
We have a newish movie theater complex built out in the middle of a cornfield in proximity to... nothing. Go catch a flick - then get back in your car.
The city is dotted with roads that end with no rhyme or reason. "We're waiting for a developer to eventually ..."
We've allowed a regionally-owned grocer (Wyndham Village Sendik's) to be driven out of business in under a year.
There is no "support local businesses" initiative in place.
The former Sentry grocery store, a huge building, is vacant. Walgreens next door is threatening to tear it down to facilitate a drive-thru window.
Children who live less than the length of a football field away from Pleasant View Elementary have to take a bus to a building they can see from their back yard. The school is nearly 50 years old, and the problem has yet to be solved.
Franklin is home to a single coffee shop, Moondance (with great food, by the way), which is unfortunately located on 27th street rather than "inside" the city.
Franklin's single "inside the city" local coffee shop and meeting space, 5-Star, remains vacant next to an also-vacant martini bar in a brand new building.
The "City Civic Center" is devoid of any manner of "third place" development that would augment and invigorate the Public Library and/or spur further investment there. (I had to actually debate my fellow commissioners in order to simply pass a motion, at the mayor's request, recommending that the city consider a vacant site next to the library for a coffee shop/co-working facility concept I'd advocated. Even though the concept originated in the EDC (via me), there was still one "nay" vote and an attempt by a commissioner to add a superfluous "spend no money on this" amendment to a mere recommendation to the council motion!)
And on and on ...
The recap places a bold and stark reality on what Franklin residents currently face. It doesn't have to be like this at all, but it takes leaders with a strong vision to get their hands in the dirt and work on improving things. As of right now, the EDC seems to me rather void of such leaders. While the members have dedicated their time to volunteer for the commission, I don't believe much is being accomplished. Furthermore, when residents are seeking solutions and commissioners balk at any new concepts or ideas, what becomes of the discussion? Nothing too positive, I'd assume.
It's a plus to know that at least one member is trying to put forward some new thinking on the EDC. I'm also glad EDC Chairman (and Alderman) Ken Skowronski is allowing the discussion to take place. In this case, I believe it's safe to say that the current models & ideals being followed at the EDC is broke and definitely needs fixing.
