Gist of GGP Public Hearing

Last week, I learned about the last public hearing over ZRA-113. Last Wednesday, I rented a top of the line GL-2 video camera complete with tripod. In preparation for the shoot, I took no chances, making sure both batteries and both backup batteries were completely charged. I even bought a used, wiped mini DV tape from the EMF rental office. I was set.

Thursday evening, I arrived at the Tyson 2 room after the public hearing had started. The last public hearing I had attended took place in the cafeteria of Wilde Lake High School. "This should be a smooth one." I said to myself upon entering the building. But when I finally made my way to the room where the meeting was underway, "f--k" I muttered to myself.

The actual meeting room was a 30 x 30 hot box. Waves of heat permeate the audience while waves of flourescent light made my attempts at a white balance futile. Not that there were many places to actually film a good sequence. Everywhere I looked, legs were shaking, pages were fanning and no one in the room looked a day under 35.

So after dropping the GL-2 idea, I did what any good reporter would do. I snatched out my Digital recorder, plugged in the microphone, and squeezed the two between my knees. With a chair in the second row as my news desk, I scribbled notes on the orange note pad I had originally sat on. What follows are the clearest recordings I could capture and present to you, my readers.

Toby Orenstein's Testimony
David Barrett's Testimony
Cynthia Coyle's Testimony
Barbara Russell's Testimony

Emily Lincoln's Vision

Emily Lincoln says that in the early days, some realtors sold homes selectively based on race and put sold signs on homes until they could sell to a diverse buyer in a sort of forced integration.

“I'm sure that the house we bought was one of those houses because it was already up and it was appeared sold but the sales person said oh it just fell through and I think I could get you this house.”

Lincoln has been an associate broker with Remax for 40 years. She first heard about Columbia in October of 1969, while working for a Missouri senator. Her husband spent his lunch hours searching for a house.

Like many early residents, the Lincolns moved to Columbia for the affordable housing. In November, they bought one for $18 thousand and moved in the day after Thanksgiving.

“People come here now largely for the schools, although I think a lot of minority people come here for the acceptance for the welcome that they have and the feel. I always notice mixed couples white man and black woman or the reverse would be very comfortable here.”

Bring Back The Vision

Lincoln is a staunch supporter of General Growth Properties and their plan to revitalize downtown Columbia. That's why she started Bring Back The Vision, a volunteer organization that educates the public about the new 30 year master plan.

“I think what we need is exactly what GGP is offering, which is a downtown that's walkable, where you can go from Symphony Woods to the mall to the lake front if you're willing to do that much walking. Where you can go and shop and sit outside and have coffee and wine with friends and that's what we miss and that's what we don't have and that's what we're not going to have unless people get behind GGP and it's effort. Stop seeing it as the greedy developer.”

Lincoln has a message for prospective residents. Participate and look ahead to all that Columbia can be. There can be so many wonderful cultural opportunities she says.