The "right demographic"? That's sounds a tad bit elitist. And who is that right demographic incidentally? More hikers and cyclists? Or fewer people likely to spend money on retail? If those are the choices, I will take the spenders. And I would like to know who these consultants are who think we need more riding trails over more economic activity.
You have come a long way from what might have been your first post on this subject:
It’s amazing how your paradigms can shift when you make an honest effort to investigate and explore all sides of an issue.
“The right demographic" is not a foreign concept to this forum. I’ve posted here now for nine years and I think you’ve been here longer than I have, it crops up in nearly every development-related thread. It’s no secret YP’s are coveted by every single metro area in the U.S. When we speak of innovative or archaic development principles, the discussion eventually comes around to: “Will it help us attract and retain young professionals?”
Anyone, please feel free to correct me if I’ve mis-stated anything thus far.
If you would have come to TulsaNow’s forum last month or even to the forum tonight, you’d have heard about Jack Blair’s (Tulsa City Council policy guru) quality of life study which compared Tulsa to 20 peer cities. In that report and his presentation at the TN forum last month, he identified 25-34 YP’s as being “the desired demographic.” every city is clamoring for. Hell, even modernized beer laws in the TN forum last night were cited as yet another quality of life issue with YP’s being an important demographic.
Guess what? Green space, smart planning, and more pedestrian-friendly development is what is attractive to them.
They are decidedly still in the acquisition phase of life, are learning to become big earners while they plant roots, and are huge consumers and contributors to the fabric of cities.
Don’t take my word for it, read the report instead of complaining that you think this is entirely based on people like me who are whining because we want to crap on someone else’s personal enrichment out of pure spite and selfishness.
At the very least, please take the time to get out and scout about these projects and proposed projects before you pass judgement on other people’s passion for what does and does not qualify as quality and desired development in this city.
And finally, if you don’t like the conclusions of these reports and studies (examples would be: recent QOL report, PlaniTulsa, any various small area plans, comprehensive plans, Mooser Creek Greenway Study, INCOG Arkansas River Master Plan, etc. ad nauseum) you have paid for, as a tax payer, please contact your city councilor and let them know you are tired of them wasting your tax dollars on reports for which we never follow their conclusions.