After almost 10 years of community visioning and planning, there's a real chance that construction of a "Town Square" in Homer might actually begin this summer. This is by no means assured, however, and will depend on whether Homer voters support a bond measure to help finance the project. The measure (which does not include a tax increase) is scheduled for a special election on March 25. Here is why I will be voting "yes" for Town Square:
Having lived in Homer since 1978, I have seen it grow from a sleepy town to a bustling regional hub and it's still growing. Automobile traffic is one of the most visible signs of growth. Unfortunately, the increase in traffic has made Homer less attractive for walking and biking. The Town Center Plan recognizes the importance of "walkability" from the standpoint of economic development (pedestrian traffic is good for business), quality of life benefits (walking is fun and contributes to good health), and environmental benefits (non-motorized transportation means less pollution and less noise). Cars will also be welcome in Town Center, but sidewalks, trails, compact development and traffic calming features will make walking a pleasure.
The Town Center Plan recognizes the importance of parks, recreation and sense of community. First-phase development will include a one-acre public plaza that serves as a setting for all kinds of activities, both planned and spontaneous. (Think concerts, fairs, ice cream in the summer, people watching any time of the year.)
In addition to the plaza and trails, Town Center will include a 3.5-acre park where kids can play and friends can enjoy a break from work, school or shopping.
Town Center will provide a focal point that also benefits neighboring business and residential areas. With more people drawn to the center of town, Pioneer Avenue businesses will benefit, as will those on Main Street and in Old Town. People who live in central Homer will enjoy the convenience to shopping and recreation/cultural activities taking place on or near Town Square.
Town Center will help our local college grow and prosper. Incorporating the existing City Hall building into the Kachemak Bay Campus of KPC-UAA will greatly facilitate the creation of a university district in Homer. It is not difficult to imagine that when today's toddlers are graduating from high school, there will be a lively downtown district right next to an equally lively "U-district," each enhancing the other and both creating a draw for local residents, tourist, and students. All of this will be good for economic development and quality of life.
Town Center will help nurture what is special about Homer. The cultural events, public art, great views, and diversity of small business in Town Center will all work to enhance Homer's reputation as a great place to live and a fun and exciting place to visit.
The full build-out of Town Center will not happen overnight or even in the space of a few years. But every great development involves taking initial steps that set the stage for continued progress. The Homer community has done this with the creation of the Town Square and City Hall. With passage of the bond measure on March 25, construction in Town Center will finally begin in June 2008.
The early slogan for Town Square resonates as much today as it did when the students at Otter Beach School first shared their ideas for the heart of Homer, "For Our Kids, For Our Town, For Our Future."
I hope you will join me in voting "yes" for Town Square on March 25.
Lou Stewart is a longtime Homer resident and chair of the Homer Parks and Recreation Commission. The views expressed here are his own.
