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My wife and I are considering purchasing a home in Westfield, but one of our hesitations has been the lack of development in what is “downtown” Westfield. To attract young professionals, that area will eventually need to be developed. The sooner, the better. That being said, while I currently don’t have a horse in the race, I do support the Union Square project for Westfield’s long-term viability and growth.
Aleksandar,
Good response. Unfortunately, there is a small group, some of whom don’t even live in the city limits of Westfield, that oppose almost anything that will modernize and attract more younger families into the city. They equate old with historical, and historical with buildings. Most of what has already been torn down for the new downtown were cheap duplexes built in the 1980’s, and buildings that were never kept up by their then owners. I worked in one central Indiana city that all but died because the people clung to a past that was never going to return, and refused to look forward.
Aleksander, Bill essentially nailed it to a T. There is a small group that is absolutely opposed to any type of change here in Westfield. I actually personally know two of them and they don’t even live anywhere close to downtown. They are west past Woodwind. Usually that’s the group that is opposing everything. I’ve lived here for 25 years and have seen all the good that changes bring
There is no downtown Westfield, just a cluster of buildings from when Westfield was a one stoplight town. Move to downtown Indianapolis if you want to live in a urban area.
The residents should be much, much more concerned about turning Main Street into a 6 lane monstrosity that will completely ruin any sense of place, destroy the small town feel, and reduce downtown into a place that people drive thru, not too.
Pay attention to Walter…..he is spot on.
Walter… it’s people like you who are holding Westfield back…if you’re opposed to the 32 IMPROVEMENTS then you have absolutely zero clue of what is going on…The “downtown” (if that’s what you really want to call it) won’t be on 32 anymore. They are literally creating a brand new “downtown” area just south of 32 that people will drive to and want to go to. This Union Square project will be part of the new downtown. But no one will be able to get there if they don’t do anything with 32. Anyone with half a brain would understand that the 32 improvements have to happen. Have you ever driven on 32 through Westfield during rush hour? It literally gets backed up through the roundabout and onto the 31 ramp… Widening 32 HAS to happen. And don’t tell me “ oh they are going to tear down historic building”, nothing on the south side of 32 is historic. Only on the north side (which they are saving) are there historic building. SMH Walter, SMH
Don’t know what the hew and cry are about. There is NO DOWNTOWN Westfield, just a bunch of old buildings on a state highway. Some find it difficult to just move on and allow growth that benefits all. Just remember what downtown Carmel used to look like. Our mayor is trying to enhance and develop in this 21st century.
I’m with Aleksandar D. and Richard B. on this one – there is No Such Thing as “Downtown Westfield” – so practically any legitimate development would become the new de facto “downtown” at this point. Damn the NIMBYs in Westfield and Zionsville.
You think they’re that new hospital is because of the current population? No – you’re going to get another 40,000 residents in the next 10 years, whether you prepare for it or not.
Charles M, I”m not sure why you lump Zionsville in with Westfield. We do have a very vibrant downtown, with a strong historic heritage and a connected village of historic homes. We have successfully opposed development that would alter this, but also encourage development that enhances the historic context of our town and village. We are not opposed to tearing down unsafe buildings or those that have no historical context but as Richard B says “just a bunch of old buildings” is a little short sighted. Old buildings can be repurposed to be both beautiful as reminders of the past as well as fully functional for modern 21st Century purposes. I have yet to see Old Town builders repurpose anything. Just tear down and build new. It would be nice if they could work with the “NIMBYs” to find a balance. Good luck.
Existing residents should be heard on these development matters, of course. I would just encourage those who have an innate disposition to oppose to reach out and have a dialog with the developer. Too often the formula is the same, the opposition starts with sound bite rhetoric – the development will overcrowd our schools and diminish their performance, existing property values will be harmed, public resources will be stretched, traffic problems will result, etc. So, efforts like these petitions pick up steam – when you are buttonholed on the street to sign a petition, who wouldn’t sign something to oppose all these terrible outcomes?
Any good developer will acknowledge that no development is perfect, however the remonstration effort is usually loath to acknowledge any community benefit from the growth. Local politicians are naturally motivated to seek re-election and the incumbent citizens who run the remonstration effort threaten their political futures. Businesses don’t have the strength in numbers of voters, so their interest takes a back seat – yet the downtown vibe that is to be “protected” from growth are represented by the businesses (in Indiana at a tax cap triple that of homeowners) who generally want more customers.
So, everyone should do their homework, then come to a solid conclusion as to whether opposition to the changes to incumbent citizenry that the development will represent should trump a course correction for a community that is intended to target a future demographic, likely well-researched by the developer.
It’s easiest for humans to accept sameness – it’s familiar and so feels safe. But all of us should recognize that whatever experiences and environment we have has a “best by” date. Our society is changing and expectations for lifestyles in the future are not the same as in the recent past. A vibrant and alive community has the ability to accept and adapt. Change does not only represent loss of the past, it represents embrace of a hopeful future.