It starts with a vision, followed by a plan and then by execution.
If our reporting revealed anything in August, it’s that those are three key elements that drive a community’s success.
Earlier this month, we told you about a local group’s plan to finally — after three decades — do something with a decaying former Westinghouse factory property on Mansfield’s east side.
On Monday, we shared the successful efforts that began more than 30 years ago to redevelop the downtown through Richland Carrousel Park.
What do those projects, separated by three decades of time, have in common?
First, they both involve local residents who care about this community and are willing to step up to do something about it, regardless of those who cast doubts and wring their hands.
Second, they offer a look at the value of vision. In the late 1980s, leaders like John Fernyak, Ed Meehan, Rex Collins, Bill Hartnett and many others had the ability to look beyond a horribly, decaying downtown and see what it COULD be.
They had a vision to see what others could not.
As retired Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer told us during our reporting on the carrousel stories:
“The mayor had a vision of what the city could be. John Fernyak, in my opinion, was the spark that began to turn Mansfield around to make it what it is today. I give him most of the credit.
“Sometimes it’s hard to visualize what can be when you’re drowning in things like street prostitution, street crimes and strong-armed robberies.”
That vision is reflected in a downtown remarkably far different 30 years later.
Third, both efforts involve a public-private partnership, a merger of local talents among elected officials and private residents, all with a powerful desire to improve Mansfield and Richland County.
Time will tell if the new effort to transfer the former Westinghouse property to the Richland County Land Bank will lead to the successful demolition, renovation and/or rehabilitation of an area that’s been an eyesore for as long as the carrousel has been a success.
The vision for that property and the surrounding area is still being developed. Things take time and we encourage everyone to be patient. Neither Rome, nor the Richland Carrousel District, were built in a day.
But we are encouraged folks like Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development President/CEO Jodie Perry, Downtown Mansfield Inc. CEO Jennifer Kime, Land Bank board Chair Bart Hamilton and others are helping all of us see something that COULD be.
We hope this kind of effort continues and expands.
We are excited about the West End Neighborhood Plan in the OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital/St. Peter’s Church area. The new Imagination District on Park Avenue is continuing. Planned improvements with the Main Street Corridor Improvement Plan sound great.
But there is more to do, especially on the north end of the community.
The former Ocie Hill Community Center, a decaying, city-owned former iconic structure on the city’s north end, is under consideration for transfer to the Land Bank. That could lead to demolition and redevelopment of a key property in a section of the city badly in need.
It must happen and happen quickly as the building has become the victim of vandals.
We also believe it’s time for Mansfield City Council to end multiple years of discussion and deliberation to move ahead with a plan for the engineering and design of a much-needed dry dam in North Lake Park.
Such a dam would move more than 100 acres on the north end out of the flood plain, protecting many homes and businesses that are frequently flooded.
The next step in the process is the two-year effort to design and engineer the structure. The city has the money to pay for that piece right now and there are also federal funds flowing in that could be used for the actual construction when the time comes.
It’s time. Past time, in fact.
We were thrilled this month to report on some great things happening in the City of Mansfield. It’s time for our leaders to seize on that momentum and keeping pushing forward.