SCA Should Focus on Community

To the Editors:

After reading the March 8, 2002, article regarding the redevelopment of the 43 East College Street business space by the newly formed Sustainable Community Associates, it occurs to me that while the philosophy behind the venture is admirable, the approach seems to be problematic. I agree with SCA, and most building and business owners in town, that filling vacant commercial space in Oberlin’s downtown business district with both residential and retail business establishments is essential for establishing economic viability in Oberlin. This is intuitive, and new business ventures in Oberlin should be supported, particularly sustainable, multi-use facilities.
However, it seems to me that creating a new organization, consisting mostly of College alumni and students, for the ultimate means of “[getting] people from both the College and the town more involved in the downtown area to better the relationship between the town and the College,” is both counterproductive and contradictory to SCA’s professed philosophy. The way to implement change is by working within the existing infrastructure, not by creating something new and then attempting to align or insert it into the existing structure. The latter approach is alienating to established organizations, and it seems to be an inefficient method for addressing unmet needs within the community. It also can be construed as presumptuous — arrogant, even — for students and recent grads (with little prior experience) to pursue such a massive undertaking without substantial support and thoughtful input from long-term members of the community who are committed to living, working, and raising families in Oberlin.
Prior to committing to this ambitious (and costly) project, it might be more effective to become involved in existing community organizations as a means for fostering relationships with people who have been committed to promoting the town and implementing change within Oberlin for years. Join the Education Committee to learn more about existing mentoring programs with the Boys and Girls Club, Oberlin Community Services/The Bridge, and the WAVE program, as well as partnerships with LCCC and the Lorain County Junior Vocational School that have or have not worked in the past. Become involved in the Economic Development/Restructuring committee or Oberlin Design Initiative (ODI) to find out about similar development projects, available resources, market studies, the acquisition of grants, etc. Or learn about Oberlin’s distinction as an Ohio Main Street Program, and how this will benefit the community in the future.
Perhaps SCA has plans to join these committees and organizations once it moves farther along with its project, but it is unfortunate that its vision seems to have been conceived on the College campus, rather than within the City itself.
On a side note, while it is noble to state that “the project is in no way financially supported by Oberlin College,” and that it “is a private endeavor put forth by Oberlin College alumni who during the course of their education, fell in love with the town and its people,” it is a curious coincidence, although a potentially fortuitous one, that the article took precedence over all other articles on the front page of the Review on the weekend the trustees were in town — particularly since the editor-in-chief has such a vested interest in this project.


–Molly McDonald
College senior

March 15
April 5

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