The Blight at the End of the Tunnel

I can't figure out why the City of Akron does nothing about some of its most obviously blighted areas. Not that I think that government can solve all problems, but surely the City could at least find a way to knock down some buildings and plant some grass if private entities aren't willing to rehab the spaces or sell them to someone that will. I understand there's more to it than that. But why? It's not like it's a big secret where the worst problems areas are located. If you pay attention for a few minutes, it's pretty obvious. Wouldn't green space be preferable to rotting, boarded up old buildings that aren't likely to sell in any real estate market? Buildings that are prime targets for criminal activity? Buildings that do nothing to improve property values?

I've looked online for signs that positive change is on the horizon in my neighborhood. I've read of vague plans, heard talk of potential, and seen nothing meaningful happen over the last decade. A beautiful new school recently rose amidst blighted buildings. Young trees are planted along busy thoroughfares. We have a great library, parks and community services. Some families, businesses and organizations invest in their properties in the hope that their neighbors will take the hint. Yet, the same major eyesores continue to exist - everyone knows where they are - and nothing seems to move anyone with real power or money to do anything more than necessary.


The sad thing is that it wouldn't take much time or money to reap immediate rewards. A few strategically placed bulldozers and some grass seed would go a long way to making significant improvements. I'm not usually one to advocate for demolishing old buildings. I'm a proponent of rehab and recycling where possible. But I also know that not everything can be saved. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and wipe the slate clean. I'd love to see a practical neighborhood redevelopment plan that brings private and public interests together to address the biggest problem areas in a way that encourages business and community investment. But knocking down a few buildings isn't a bad place to start.

With a little bit of effort by local leaders, new and established businesses might then be able to envision opportunity where they now see poverty. Young professionals and families might look twice at this urban neighborhood and decide that they can call it home - a place perfectly situated between downtown Akron and the Cascade Valley MetroPark (north and south). This is the potential we envisioned when we bought our home in North Hill. But now our optimism is starting to fade, and for the first time we are starting to open our minds to the possibility of somewhere other than Akron.

If the Akron truly wants to remain relevant to the people that want to call it home, it would be worth the time to make some meaningful efforts in its core neighborhoods. Most of us don't expect much more than a sign of progress. If even this is too much to ask, then the City shouldn't be surprised if people continue to leave.

And the Winner Is...(Not Us)

At a recent Akron Film contest that we entered (but didn't win), I was pleasantly (sort of) surprised to go up against so many good independent films. In past contests, relatively few well-produced short films have been sprinkled among a collection of average and lackluster films, several of which probably shouldn't have even been made. But this year was quite different, and the talent pool made drowning a little easier, for me at least.

I really don't like to lose (who does). But I'm proud to have encountered so many young, enthusiastic, talented, independent filmmakers right here in my community. I figure if I'm going to lose, I'd much rather lose to someone who deserves it than to lose to a stacked deck. Not that our film was bad. It was good; and in past years, it would have won. This time, we took a risk, did things a little different, and the gamble just didn't pay off. (Sounds familiar.) But that's life. We'll compete again. We always do.

It's important to keep getting back up, pushing the boundaries, challenging the status quo. If you don't play the game, you have no chance of winning. So don't count the Screamingreens out yet. We're just getting started.