City Planning and the Citizen

Dear Visionaries: Did you see Ted McDonough's piece in the Aug 5 DN (lower front p.) on all the plans underway (some apparently well along in fact) to remake the face of "downtown Moscow:? Sounds like an exciting venture with Councilwoman JoAnn Mack in the saddle. Because so very few details were reported on the dimensions, data bases, goals, impacts, etc. on our fair city, I wrote Ms. Mack to inquire some info. so that those of us who also pay taxes and want to live here into the future (and our children?) might have a better grasp of what is going on, and how we the citizens could be better involved. It would seem that many millions of $$ are involved here, and someone will be paying for it as well as enjoying the results of what is in the hopper.In fact, we ought to hold another community caucus on community development like the Feb. one, in order to become better participants in public affairs affecting us. Your comments are most welcome! Thanks. W. Ken Medlin

Councilwoman JoAnn Mack 824 Park Drive Moscow, ID 83843 Dear Ms. Mack: The Daily News report (Aug. 5) concerning the planning initiatives now underway to "revitalize" downtown Moscow (identified as a kind of perimeter to existing urban configurations) included attractive concepts and goals for the future of our city. Based on the skeletal information given in Ted McDonough's article, one can gather that, in fact, planning work is well along, especially from the University's side, and that city and entrepreneurial resources are more or less committed to engage in planning activities. If this be the case, I and others would much appreciate having more detailed information about what has been and is going on. While we realize that certain segments of institutional commitments are private and have no official obligation to share information, the fact that you are a city official wearing several "hats", it seems very legitimate to ask for fuller disclosure of the ongoing processes. Some of our questions begging more information are -- 1) what systematic representative means are intended both to keep the citizenry well informed and to involve citizens in the development projects? (Studies show that trust is the most salient factor relating to people satisfaction with urban-rural community development) 2) what demographic data bases are intended to secure reasonably sound estimates of growth over the period for planned development? 3) what estimates are there of the amount of financial and other encumberments that will devolve on local government as a result of the plan implementation? 4) what federal (block grant) and state funds are being considered to supplement private and public funds (bonds, taxes) to finance development? 5) what impacts, changes or revisions in regard to urban traffic patterns, congestion, pedestrian access, etc. are being considered? 6) what indicators of the quality of community life are being considered to ensure that present amenities and life quality will be main- tained or enhanced? There are other considerations, to be sure, but these loom as the most urgent. Could you kindly respond as soon as feasible? Thank you.

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