Topic 1: Uneven Development

Uneven development in any community is almost unavoidable. Can you think of a city, or even a town, that doesn't have visible economic diversity? Would such homogeneity even be desirable, if the result of "even" development was that every part of town looked and felt the same? Is it even appropriate to want some economic variability?

This is a vastly complex problem with greatly contested solutions, theorized and debated at the academic, private, and governmental levels for some time. Yet, there is some agreement that communities manage their resources so that basic services can be provided: fire stations, hospitals, police precincts, schools, and green spaces are scattered geographically based on even distribution and access.

The majority of citizens I spoke with are very aware of Salina's uneven development and, specifically, the lack of services and businesses on the north side. Some have stated that the problem is that much (if not all) of that area is in the flood plain of the Smoky Hills River; even more have suggested turning much of that area into some kind of wetland or preserve. Still more have suggested that there's a substantial economic opportunity missed by not having any development near I-70. The results of the "cinder block" vote from seminars I conducted in the fall--in the gallery presently--are that 38% of seminar participants believe development should occur in the north.

And there are many voices who feel that continuing the south and eastward advancement is just fine, and quite a few that want emphasis on the downtown core. Where do you stand on this? What kind of economic incentives could be offered to lure retail and other businesses to the north? What kind of character should that area have if not its present form (which few seem satisfied with)? What steps are necessary to bring citizens closer together on a vision for this? How has present government and planning responded/not responded to the issues, and what should they do differently?