Within the last month I have spoken to two generationally polar opposite groups. The first consisted of college students from the University of North Florida and the other a more senior group from a local Presbyterian church. However, what they both shared was ethnicity and their discomfort with the state of many communities like New Town. The fact that they identified things like parks and grocery stores and financial institutions as basic elements every “good” and “desirable” community should have and the fact none of these things existed troubled them.
Is it that residents of these neighborhoods do not desire these basic institutions in their neighborhood? Or is it that the residents of these same neighborhoods do not represent a big enough financial opportunity for said institutions to make a profit? The mere fact that check cashing places exist on every corner within every challenged neighborhood throughout the country suggest likewise. Therefore, a bank or credit union should be viable business within these communities.
Whatever the reason is these institutions do not exist we all can agree that they are needed in every community. We have to make communities like New Town destinations that people want to live rather than vacate at the first opportunity. Yes safety is a huge part of the equation (40% reduction in crime) and schools are another (S.P. Livingston is a B school) and quality housing is another (Habijax has 144 properties in the community), but access to fundamental things like banks, grocery stores and parks is another. Therefore, I ask what are YOU prepared to do to make sure those institutions are available and young families who cannot afford homes that have soared beyond what a minimum wage or service worker can afford?
That’s my truth…
