lately, both the O and the trib have put up stories about the “fractured” community in Boise-Elliot with regards to future development of the N. Mississippi area. I have written about N. Mississippi before and am very positive about the changes that have occurred in just the past 3 years. Yes, it’s only been 3 years since the first small businesses began to open. Since then, the street has become a thriving hub of activity - all driven by small business or “mom and pop” stores. There are no starbucks, there isn’t a GAP, there isn’t a McMenamins or Bishops. Many of the small businesses are owned and staffed by people living in the surrounding neighborhoods too.
So, it pisses me off to hear that a small fraction of the neighborhood is fighting tooth and nail against future development on the street. This group which now controls the neighborhood board does not - and I repeat - does not represent the views of the neighborhood as a whole. Many articles refer to a community meeting in January where developers were asking for a letter of support for a new condo project. The room was packed full of the board members friends who I doubt live in the neighborhood, but came and voted anyway. Mind you, no one was asking for addresses, so it was easy to posture oneself as a resident. These self avowed “housing collective” individuals believe and have stated that the small businesses are ruining the fabric of the community. That is such utter crap I can’t believe it. What was the community doing to better itself in 1990 or 1995 or even 2000. I’ve lived here since 1996 and it was horror up until 2001 when the rebuilding center started getting off the ground. I and many others now feel safe walking around the streets.
When you read these articles and hear that the neighborhood association voted against development - take that with a grain of salt. It’s a small fraction of very boisterous people who believe they are right and everyone else is wrong and they dominate and intimidate everyone else into either not participating or just throwing their hands up in disgust.
Oh, and if we want to talk about “improvement,” let’s finish with the topic of TRASH. Every small business on the street takes the effort to keep their sidewalk and area clean from trash. The housing collective people have a so-called “free porch and bookstore” which is always littered with junk and trash that people just leave about. It is the only eyesore on the street. and they are complaining that a new condo unit would take away from the community? grr, this makes me angry.

thanks to Jack for the link to an insighful message thread about how these people treat their fellow neighbors.

Related posts:

1. Kurisu development on N. Mississippi
2. Re-development on N. Mississippi moves forward
3. “free stuff?” - more like garbage
4. Boise Neighborhood Meetings - Fireworks to come
5. Mississippi St. Fair - some didn’t like it