If a functioning center city is irrelevant to the prosperity of the suburbs, why have all metros that have seen net gains in the last 10 years had functioning city centers? You can't have a functioning region with a shithole as its center. If our political leaders here are determined to try it and see what happens, I predict failure. The alternative is to invest money in our city center. But, then again, maybe you don't like your children much and would rather they move to Chicago. Your call.
Bookmarks