To the editors:
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Because of my enthusiasm for saving this facility, I must point out that Ben Joravsky may have picked the wrong paradigm. Let us not discourage the valiant citizens of Nortown by comparing this project to the “Edgewater mansions.” Only part of that project was a failure.
The second mansion never went public. Instead, it became a playground for the pretentious who didn’t like the idea of having to walk in “that neighborhood” so they demanded that part of the open land be turned over to them for a parking lot. Edgewater Community Council president “Pave ’em over” Schroeder focused organizational resources on parking instead of program. When other community leaders outmaneuvered the ECC and saved the little piece of lakeside property for a playground, the losers had a built-in excuse for failure.
Our advice to those who would save the Nortown is–keep it public! If you set up a private club, you’ll find a few naive persons to go along, but they won’t stick around. If plans to save the Nortown really have public benefits, it can work! Good luck.
