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Here is the big question: Has Mesa really changed?
When you go around town, you can feel it. The people in town and around the city really are starting to think that things are changing, and on the eve of the Gaylord Election (more on that in a later post), hope springs eternal for Mesa's future. Only one catch, some urban researchers don't agree.
They claim that Phoenix and Mesa have been hit too hard by the mortgage collapse and that our recovery is going to take awhile. In fact, the researcher is claiming that Mesa may be faced with even further decline.
Its not clear on if the researchers have actually been to Mesa, or if they have been keeping track with the steps that the Mayor and Council have taken towards recovery. Also, who knows if they have been following the changes at the Gateway area and the recently established Aerospace Institute. What about the fact that Mesa is perched to lead the entire state in recovery as the economy rebounds?
Just because some author hasn't felt the change, doesn't mean that the change is not happening. Its true that Mesa has grown for growth's sake with an economy based almost exclusively on sales taxes. However, our past does not define our future. I would encourage the Mayor and Council, the Mesa Proving Grounds people, Superstition Vistas committee and others to invite Florida here and show him how things are changed and how the city really is preparing for the future.
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Again, Florida is a moron. I have read some of his stuff as a grad student in urban planning and urban design. His logic at times is narrow and not accurate I think. He is writing about an area he does not know that much of. If he wants some more credibility, he needs to come out here, do some in-depth research and look at his findings. He needs to leave Toronto and come down there with all the other Canadians who flock here for the sun.
The other thing I have a big issue with is how he attacked the area without really giving any advice, any suggestions how we can shorten the recovery and help to prevent this from happening in the future. Don’t just rip us, talk about how it can change and improve.
I will say, he is write about a lot of things, and in most cases, it will be a long road to recovery because we rely so much on growth. The current economic standpoint should tell a story that we are doing things wrong. I live in Denver, and it does not seem as bad as AZ. Its time for us to look to stop sprawl, reinvest into our cities and recruit high tech and a more diverse job force in the valley.
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