Citiwire.net

Welcome to Citiwire.net! In an era of disparaging governance, some communities do learn to “do it right.” My column focuses on the thoughtful, long-term land conservation advances of the Puget Sound citistate, now reaching out its Olympic Peninsula as well. … Roberta Gratz relays the exciting story of revival strategies in Syracuse, one of those “frostbelt” cities people so easily write off. Two features struck me especially. One was the turnaround of Syracuse University, from the distant and indifferent ivory tower on the hill it had been, to community leader (a great switch for Syracuse, and opportunity for its students, too). And second; the revival leaders in Gratz’s story, from activist preservationist to mayor to county executive to university chancellor, are all women. Maybe appropriate for the work of nurturing a city back to health.