Neighborhood Planners Guide Why live in Forest Park?
by Bob Cox
Why live in Forest Park?... Is this a good question that anyone can ask? I have been a life long resident for over 63 years. In past NPG articles I’ve maintained a general journalistic correspondent’s view of urban life here. I have focused on urban planning processes and apologize if I have been guilty of forcing a deliberate delivered wisdom on these matters to Forest Park Post readers. I have felt disappointed in not getting more stakeholders to the public conversation table. Forecasting the future is never easy, especially in these odd times. Division is detrimental to good interactive communication, so also is being a victim caught in the drought of not listening to others, causing the loss of different perspectives. Reflecting on Forest Park issues in the last 12 months is a healthy tonic to combat public amnesia, so here are some highlights from 2017 that are still relevant to Forest Park change:
Things can always be improved, that includes Forest Park’s quest for sustainability and growth. FP Government has subtly changed in their focus and pursuit of bringing value to our town. • We still grapple with the current challenges of PTHS redemption and transformation as well as being savvy of market indicators and processes like “return on investment” and “pro-forma modeling”
• One challenge that get’s historically ignored is housing. • Gradual increases to property values trumps (not a reference to 45) runaway property values.
• Not being a taxing body under “Home Rule” also poses constraints and limits revenue rebates.
• Demographics are changing in Forest Park and living literally next door to a global city like Chicago can’t be underscored. Expanding on that global idea might be the next public conversation. • 3 R’s of Community Sustainability from a recent 24
The Forest Park Post • January & February 2018
Revitalization News blog: Here’s the key lesson from the High Line: Repurposing, renewing, and reconnecting are each powerful and effective on their own. Many communities have been revitalized using just one of these tactics. But the magic occurs when all three are combined to reinforce each other, thus forming a true revitalization strategy. Talking about these urban realities, community developments, quality of life issues, the economy, domestic and professional workplace conditions, and ideological themes are a conventional way to frame this conversation… but perhaps not the only or best way for Forest Parkers to converse in 2018 and beyond.
I am an optimist in these matters and it would be tempting to focus on the past with it’s negative bad planning, ineffective government policies, corrupt politics, discriminatory social practices like segregation that lead to urban decline. So why in the 21st Century do you live in Forest Park? That question is a simple way to start the conversation. All my 2018 NPG commentary will be consistent to this question and report on the attained answers given by anyone who wants to give their 2 cents, listen to other’s 2 cents, and finally see what the common ground is or could be. Reading other writers featured in the Forest Park Post are also an interesting way to listen to others and discover new perspectives.
Give us your feedback, we appreciate it. You can read us online at forestparkpost.com , email me at robertcox20@ comcast.net or forestparkpost@comcast.net or follow us on Facebook at Forest Park Urban Portraits and Forest Park Post FB pages. I am not sure what the new public platform for public conversation will be, but I am guessing it shouldn’t be limited to convention. There are engagement pitfalls in social media as well as regular media that stunt real democratic interaction. So move over parking, gambling, taxes, Russian collusion… I’m curious about Forest Park change and I hope that you will be too!
Forest Park Resident Bob Cox is a certified trained facilitator working and consulting in public engagement, public education, organizational management, and a substitute teacher at Proviso East, PMSA and Fenwick High Schools. He has a 2010 B.A. in Urban Planning and Public Affairs from UIC.
Visit us online at www.forestparkpost.com