Benjamin Franklin and Jeff Speck.

As e-mailed this morning, by me, to the downtown merchants group mailing list.

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We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
-- Benjamin Franklin

Next Sunday is the annual release of NABC Old Lightning Rod, a Colonial-style dark ale inspired by (and honoring) Benjamin Franklin. More information can be found here.

As a thinker, rationalist, scientist and a man devoted throughout his life to self-improvement, Benjamin Franklin surely would have been at the forefront of the discussion about Jeff's Speck's study, the Downtown Street Network Proposal.

The report is long, and occasionally difficult, but please read it, especially the first 60 or so pages, which clearly explain why these changes are so important to us. If implemented, these proposals render the street grid into infrastructure that supports our businesses and investments on a daily basis, year-round. It unifies and brings downtown together, not separates it. It's critical for us to think in the collective sense.

There are going to be many NA residents opposing these proposals because they imagine, often erroneously, that they'll be unduly inconvenienced by them. Even if or when this might be true, as merchants concerned with the greater good of our downtown workplace environment, we must view the bigger picture, not become obsessed by the minor changes in routine.

Experience in other cities shows the power of these proposals. To me, it's the best chance in my lifetime for New Albany to leap forward within the greater metro area. Speck's proposals ARE our Big Four Bridge. We simply cannot afford to let this opportunity slip away.

Thanks

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Here is a P.S. for blog publication: Just for once, can DNA get its act together and finally be helpful?