Dear Mr. McCutchen:  Mayor Baker forwarded your e-mail to me for response.  As to your opening paragraph regarding use of the term “Quality of Place,” projects the term was selected by default; could have been “special projects,” “economic initiatives,” or any other word smithing selection.  The term was introduced by an author named Richard Florida in his book Rise of the Creative Class.   I’ve read it once, heard him speak twice, disagree with about half his thesis and agree with the other half.  He faults in creating questionable assumptions regarding the success of certain cities’ success in redevelopment, but his assumptions don’t reach or rationalize the conclusions he makes for all cities.  He cites redevelopment successes in Portland, OR, Pittsburgh, PA, Boston, MA, Miami (South Beach) Beach, FL to name a few; he credits their success in “livability,” to the “creative class,” i.e. artists, designers, musicians, etc.  His basic flaw, in my opinion, is his failure to recognize cities with successful track records in redevelopment not related  to the creative class; key examples are cities that have grown and redeveloped due to the influence of the military, i.e. San Antonio, TX, San Diego, CA, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, KS, Colorado Springs, CO and Witchita, KS, to name a few.  Again, in my opinion, an ingrained bias toward objectivity. . .and we haven’t even talked about the demographic shifts that took place following WWII from the rust belt to the sun and wheat belts during the ‘50’s and ‘60’s that created new cities predicated on manufacturing and job relocations.  His failed conclusion, in my opinion, is every city is unique in its own right; there is no cookie cutter approach to redevelopment success that can apply to every city.  Each city needs to determine for itself what is appropriate for its economic vitality (that’s my editorial opinion).  As to Fort Smith, there is a fierce tradition to submit ideas and proposals to the citizens for referendum to make those determinations; when referendums are scheduled, every effort is made to inform the voter as to the date, time and purpose of the vote.  THEY will decide!  Don’t know if this answers your questions, but it’s my take.

As to your numbered questions:

Question 1: No and no

Question 2:  No and n/a

Question 3:  No, don’t know (but will find out) and don’t have a clue.

Question 4:  No and n/a

On behalf of Mayor Baker

Respectfully,

Dennis W. Kelly

p.s.  On a personal note, please accept my apologies for the belated response; I do not receive your e-mails.  The Mayor’s secretary sent me a copy late yesterday and have just now been able to respond.  Regards, DK