An Open Letter / 2023 City Council Election
Mike
An open letter to the Worthington Community from the
Worthington Alliance for Responsible Development (WARD)
Large Issues Invoke Large Passions
This has been true of the human condition over time immemorial. Whenever good people of strongly held different beliefs come together, there can be sparks. There can be heightened emotions. There can be inflamed statements.
Currently, a central issue facing Worthington, an issue that will define the shape and substance of the city for the decades to come, is the use of the former UMCH property. Properly developed, the property will be part of the warp and weft of Worthington, a productive asset for the city, supplying new retail and office space. Supplying new housing, supplying a community commons space for the benefit and enjoyment of all residents.
Poorly developed, the property can fail to deliver on the “highest and best use” of the land. The development can be an imposition on the community, an economic burden on the city and residents, and a liability over time as the property ages poorly. Who gets to decide which way the die is cast for the future of the property? We do - the citizens of Worthington. While the developer can and does own the land, we the citizens control the zoning. Our current City Council election stands to decide whether the citizens maintain control over the zoning and development at the former UMCH property, or if City Council chooses to cede that control to a developer. A very large issue indeed.
There have recently been communications by another community group (BWF) that makes statements disparaging WARD, its efforts to keep control of the property development in the hands of the citizens, and pursue a balanced development on that site for the long term good of the community.
For the record:
- WARD stands by the information it communicates, strongly refuting any inference of “misinformation.”
- WARD believes development is part and parcel of the growth of all healthy communities. We believe in the value of development done right serving that community for decades to come.
- WARD believes in the necessity of the citizenry maintaining control of their community and its’ development through zoning control, not ceding that control to developers.
- WARD maintains that the development of the former UMCH property into a desirable commercial/residential/greenspace is economically viable, and welcomes a discussion to that effect, using real world numbers and scenarios.
- WARD believes that the discussion and focus on the proper development of the former UMCH property should not be obscured and confused by the also important issue of housing needs in our community.
It is our sincere hope that with the conclusion of this election cycle that the inflammatory rhetoric that has and is prevailing will be put to rest, and that the community will work together for the greater good of all.
In conclusion, we urge all citizens of age to exercise your voice in our community and vote!
A vote for 3 of these 4 candidates will work to ensure that the control of the development of the former UMCH resides with the citizens, and is not ceded to a developer:
- Peter Bucher
- Felicity Beck
- Mike Duffey
- Doug Smith
Sincerely,
The Worthington Alliance for Responsible Development