Southside Neglect

Just about in every community, whether it is a small town, city, or large metropolitan area, there is always a part where it seems one is living in two different worlds. One side seems to be more affluent than the other, with economic growth sprouting up in every section of the area that is doing well. The area that is doing well gets the lion’s share of economic dollars, incentives, and a push from those who can make things happen. All of this goes on as the other side seems to languish over years of neglect, which can be called the side that gets everyone’s attention from municipal leaders who continue to push the economic envelope. The city of Monroe has such a dilemma, as economic development on the city’s northside continues by leaps and bounds while the southside struggles to get past home plate. Southside residents have seen city council after city council greenlight many economic projects in and around the downtown area heading north of Louisville and into its two most affluent Districts(1 and 2), while Districts 3,4, and 5 continue to play catchup. The gap keeps getting wider and wider, yet the city’s motto is “#Oneroe”. Recently the city hosted what was called a “community engagement meeting” in an effort to “hear from” interested people concerning plans for downtown Monroe. Putting the focus on downtown was one of candidate Friday Ellis’ goals while campaigning as mayor, to revitalize the downtown/riverfront area of Monroe. Some will say that some dividends are beginning to materialize as more attention is being paid to the downtown area. The city has unveiled three different plans in hopes of revitalizing the downtown area in one-year, five-year, and ten-year formats. All of the plans are ambitious, highlighting only one part of the city. According to the city’s structural plans, the one-year plan will put emphasis on activating a river market, including weekly or monthly events to entice businesses to invest downtown and calls for street improvement, a dog park, and a pedestrian walk-only area. The five-year plan would see the construction of a downtown marina, connecting the community to the river(one of Ellis’s goals), as events could be added to the Grand Plaza Auditorium and adding even more green space for pedestrians and bicyclists. The ten-year plan, which may be the most ambitious of all, by developing a bridge crossing over the Ouachita River, hopefully making the Endom Bridge pedestrian-only, leading straight to Antique alley in West Monroe for would-be shoppers. The plan also would provide for more nightlife activities and residential downtown apartments. The city is excited and is starting to receive some response from the community, but which side of town gets the lion’s share of the benefits? That is a question that southside residents have been waiting for decades to get an answer to; the city’s bold plans, no matter which one or all three at some point in the future, will no doubt be subject to city council approval. Out of the five council members, at least one vote will have to come from a southside District council member. Over the years, southside District council members have voted with the mayor of whichever administration was in power. The current mayor has seen his share of successes, but southside residents will rightfully ask what about us? When is our turn to where the administration put something in place above the ground, not just underground improvements? People that live on the southside want more than just the zoo for visitors to gather. In other words, for them, where is the effort, the excitement to make the southside more than just another side of Monroe? As long as there is a real perception of two Monroes, there will never be one. The motto, in the eyes of southside residents, should mean what it says. “#Oneroe”.