Sheridan Park - GET OVER IT!

Ok, I like 'green space' as much as the next guy, but there comes a point where practicallity has to rule the day. As nice as Sheridan Park is, and as badly as 'green space' is lacking in the area, I just don't see it's loss as a catastrophe.

Let's face it - the park itself is nice to look at and I have no doubt it is a pleasant facility to utilize; however, the view from or through the park is another issue. To the east is a lovely view of the scenic FACTORY DISTRICT! To the west and northwest, a less than attractive commercial district with a few houses mixed in. To the southwest, a school - nice enough, but not outstanding and certainly not 'green space'. And to the north and south? - older, lower to lower middle income housing in various states of repair. A neighborhood in which the most recent news of any significance was the not so long ago shooting spree and murder of one of the local neighbors. A neighborhood in which there have been reports of drug deals and other unsavory happenings. The neighborhood hardly promotes the pristine atmosphere that protesters claim to be afraid of losing. The park is certainly a jewel by comparison, but it falls far short of being the neighborhood's salvation!

Playspace? Well, it is a nice play space, but how much is the rest of the city to sacrifice in order to provide a playspace that is so severely under-utilized and at the same time abused? And what about that 'less than gorgeous' school? Doesn't IT have a playground? Of course it does - and with adequate, safe, state of the art playground equipment, surrounded by a chain-link fence to keep the little ones from straying into the busy 14th Street traffic. We sure don't get our money's worth from the school district otherwise - why not let it provide the playspace, since we've already more than paid for it.

The new police station, which is long overdue, would - besides providing a badly needed upgrade from the current facility - benefit the neighborhood in several ways:

In appearance, it would likely block the view of the factory district with an attractive, modern building surrounded by plenty of 'greenspace'. With city enforcement so close at hand, the over-abundance of city ordinances regarding building codes would more likely be followed by the errant landlords and property owners who have let maintenance matters slide.

With officers all over the neighborhood at all hours of the day and night, criminal and delinquent behavior would be significantly reduced. Local citizens should welcome the increased safety and security.

Speaking of safety, the effect of patrol cars on traffic is remarkable. School children and old folks alike should have a much easier time crossing the busy area roads.

Improved response time is a factor the entire city will benefit from, but none so much as those in the immediate area. When a first responder is needed, seconds matter.

The new station is badly needed. The old facility is inadequate and an embarrassment to our city. It is time to put personal 'wants' aside and address the 'needs' of the community for our greater good. If we allow this disruption in the process to delay progress once again, it may be another twenty years before we find a site that is functionally as desirable and aesthetically adequate. No matter what is decided, no place will be acceptable to everyone. Nobody wants it in their backyard.