Comments for Forest for the Trees at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.theind.com Mon, 20 May 2013 00:49:13 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/8266-forest-for-the-trees#comment-17555 The pioneers, those founding fathers of the area stealing famland for tax debts from the farmers now they prosper holding prime commercial acreage of land designated as farmland "AH our shyster, slinky pioneers worked so hard bringing their under the table trades of over running familys in debt to the government for taxes owed on their homesteads - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Wed, 11 May 2011 10:37:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/9-indnews/8266-forest-for-the-trees#comment-17553 The property shown in the picture on this article is one of the last wooded sections of Ambassador Caffery and an undeveloped piece left between Guilbeau and Ambassador. The city should buy it at "agricultural" land value and reserve it for a park and road/bike access way to connect the neighborhoods in the area to Curran Lane. Importantly, keep it a wood lot. Plus as an added benefit, if we develop the way I just proposed, our land values would go higher, property taxes would increase, land use performance would increase and then we'd be able to better afford our green spaces. Also, those roadways already clogged with traffic could begin to see the city bus and bikeways as more viable means of serving the properties. In short, let's redevelop Johnston Street first and also start giving some thought to Ambassador Caffery Pkwy as well. As for developable land, as if this would diminish its supply, a parking garage could be built on top of the Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and old K-Mart parking lots, along with a 3rd floor for more retail and office space, and there would still be enough parking available for the surrounding 500 acres. We probably don't need another commercial development right there. We do need more greenery and public spaces. - Jason D. Faulk Wed, 11 May 2011 10:15:35 +0100