The new CentrePointe, in addition to its other benefits, gives us a remarkably vivid example of how two styles of political leadership in urban development can lead to very different results.
[In the interests of full disclosure, I have been a friend and supporter of Mayor Gray for many years. But this comment is not about personalities, but about two clearly stated and opposing philosophies of a mayor’s role in urban affairs.]
Near the beginning of the last mayoral race, the Gaines Center for the Humanities at UK invited Mayor Joe Riley of Charleston, SC, to talk about a mayor’s role in making a city more beautiful and more successful.
Then-mayor Newberry responded with his view – one that reflected the views of many of his predecessors: that the best way to encourage downtown development was to leave each developer completely free of any restraining plans or laws. The logic was that this freedom from pesky regulations would provide the best economic incentive for developers.
Mayor Riley of Charleston advocated for a very different approach where the mayor is the cheerleader of good development and the tireless opponent of bad. Riley once went so far as to contact then-President Bill Clinton over the design of a Federal Courthouse in his downtown. He realized that good design and civic beauty benefit all citizens, rich and poor alike, and that each new development should not be merely neutral, but should improve the life of every Charlestonian.
Jim Gray embraced this philosophy at the time, ran on it as a candidate, and has acted upon it since becoming Mayor.
The “Centrepointe” project demonstrates the difference between the two approaches. While early development plans were prepared in secret and without any public role, Gray’s new approach has brought to the project Studio Gang, one of the most respected firms in the country, two public meetings, and careful consideration of public comment. The resulting design, as Tom Eblen and others have pointed out, is closely tied to Lexington and our history. The design isn’t that of a generic building that could be planted anywhere. This open process has not only produced a far more thoughtful design by a better architect (with more to be done by local architects), but it has pulled the community together instead of tearing it apart. If one can judge by his public comments, Dudley Webb is perhaps the most pleased of all.
Although many other problems lay on the horizon, all the positive energy toward this project tis due largely to the intense activity and interest of Mayor Gray who is following the example set by Mayor Riley. Mayor Gray made sure that the process was open and played a significant role in suggesting Studio Gang. Mayor Gray has worked tirelessly to come up with a design and a design team that Lexington could be proud of. It is time for Lexington to turn this page. Let’s end the era of unrestrained development at the whim of any developer, and begin a new age of open process, intimate mayoral involvement, and excellence in design! Next stop: Rupp and its surrounding land!
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