Every city in America has them.
Good neighborhoods and, well, not-so-good neighborhoods. Amarillo is just like every other city in that regard.
But there’s a bit of a difference here. Our city is governed by five individuals who represent the entire city; they’re all elected at-large. So, when residents of one part of the city feel as though their neighborhoods are being neglected, they tend to point the finger at the City Council and accuse its members of favoring other parts of the city.
It’s been on-going in Amarillo since, oh, probably The Flood.
Amarillo is now launching — one should hope — a concerted effort to revive, rejuvenate and rediscover the North Heights neighborhood.
It’s one of those areas of the city where residents have felt a bit neglected.
Does this effort require a huge change in local government attitude? The fellows who sit on the City Council say “no.” The city always has been equally concerned about all the neighborhoods, not just those with the more expensive homes or those with the leafy streets.
The Heights is long overdue for a serious makeover. The goal is to make residents proud of where they live.
City officials have planned a series of public meetings with residents. They want to hear from residents what they want. As KFDA NewsChannel 10 reported: “It’s really key to get their input because it’s their input that is going to help us get to where we want to be for this neighborhood,” said City of Amarillo Planning Director Kelley Shaw. “It’s their neighborhood. It’s not the city’s neighborhood, so we really need their input to make it all work.”
It’s good to watch how the city reacts to the concerns it hears. Perhaps the victory can be achieved if the city responds aggressively to what officials hear and start putting some serious effort into lifting up a neighborhood that’s felt neglected.
Think of it as a potential hedge against efforts to overhaul the city’s voting plan to expand the size of the City Council and create a single-member district plan for the city.
Let’s get busy.
I have always been uncomfortable with at-large city commissioners. I remember when, several years ago when I still lived in Amarillo, a council member admitted that he was unaware that there were neighborhoods in the city without curbs.
It is hard to miss if one has ever taken a ride in North Heights. I guess you have to be looking. But the observation cannot be made if one has never been to that location.
Just saying.
I’m a bit less comfy with at-large rep on the council than I used to be. Thanks for your comment.