An official from the Trust for Public Land is coming to Natchez regarding the Bluffs property! Why is this exciting?
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. The TPL website details their depth of practical experience in preserving that which is unique and special about a place for the public, which in turn spurs economic growth and development that is in the long term interest of the entire community. Since 1972, TPL has worked with willing landowners, community groups, and national, state, and local agencies to complete 3,313 land conservation projects in 46 states, protecting more than 2.2 million acres.
It's exciting that an organization of this stature is interested in our Bluffs, which says something about its uniqueness and value. However, TPL only works with willing communities.
Don Morrow, Director of Projects for the Southeast Region of TPL, will be visiting Natchez to determine if the city and the citizens are open to TPL assistance in developing the Bluffs.
To assist him in making this determination, Morrow will be touring the site and meeting with the Mayor and others in the community. There will also be an opportunity for citizens to meet with him.
I strongly encourage you to attend and learn about this thrilling opportunity. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone in Natchez came together to produce something great for the community?
Posts
26 comments:
what land do they want to purchase? what is "the bluffs" property?
I have spoken with Mr. Morrow. They are not coming to purchase land. That is not what they do.
Please see the website: tpl.org and attend the public meeting.
I know a little bit about their projects in Montana.
My understanding is that this is about finding a common vision for the bluff...a balance between public and private interests.
And if we can do that, then the TPL can help facilitate that vision, if we as a city and a community can convince them that we are a worthy cause, which I have just reviewed. Very interesting.
They work all over the country from California to Montana to Florida. They utilize many different approaches, all explored on the webiste, tpl.org.
Maybe they can do another study, that's just what we need. Or someone else to facilitate some community vision meetings. What we really need is someone to come WITH THE MONEY in hand who is prepared to invest and get started on a project right away.
Yea, Anonymous, we do need money, but losing our bluff views is not the way to get it. I'll bet there are plenty of money people who if they thought TPL was even remotely interested in Natchez would jump on board. We all need to go hear more about this. Best economic development possibility I've heard in a long time. Hats off to whatever person made this contact!
They can purchase land, for the purpose of facilitating its transition to a second party to maintain for the public. If TPL will help us, it could mean cash for the city, development for the developers and public space for the public.
Anyone who has the ability to comment on this blog also has the ability to review the TPL website.
Get informed - review the website - tpl.org.
Think out of the box. Then add your comments.
"Show me a healthy community with a healthy economy and I will show you a community that has its green infrastructure in order," said TPL's President Will Rogers in May, 1999, remarks before the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America in Detroit. "Around our nation, communities are recognizing that land conservation is one place where healthy communities and healthy economies meet."
Links to all of the papers below on
Economic Benefits of Parks are at tpl.org
http://www.tpl.org/tier2_cl.cfm?folder_id=725
1: Benefits of Parks White Paper
White Paper: As the nation's leading conservation group creating parks in and around cities, The Trust for Public Land has launched its Parks for People initiative. This white paper describes the social, environmental, economic, and health benefits parks bring to a city and its people. (2005 reprint)
2: Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space
Report: The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space: How Land Conservation Helps Communities Grow Smart and Protect the Bottom Line. Communities around the country are learning that open space conservation is not an expense but an investment that produces important economic benefits. TPL's entire report on the economic benefits of open space is available in portable document format (pdf) or in text format by chapter. 48 pages. (1999)
3: Healthy Communities/Healthy Economies
4: Bibliography: The Economic Benefits of Open Space
Compiled several years before TPL's Economic Benefits of Open Space report, this annotated bibliography contains over one hundred citations on the economic benefits of protecting open space. (1996)
Apparently they can buy land.
Found this press release on their website. It's a project in the Virgin Islands but it does show what they're capable of.
415 Acres To be Added to Virgin Islands National Park
Press Release, 9/5/2006: The Trust for Public Land today announced it has signed a contract to buy and preserve a 415-acre property in the heart of St. John that ultimately will become part of Virgin Islands National Park. It would be the biggest preservation project on St. John since the National Park was created in 1956.
OK, I checked the website and it is pretty overwhelming. I need to wait and hear the man speak. Then I'll be better able to comment. But I'm interested in the part about much needed cash to the city. That would be a relief. Hard to belieive such a thing is possible though.
Just think about it ... a hundred years from now, are people going to come to Natchez to see and enjoy and revel in the beauty of "commercial development" on the bluffs?
Or will they come to see one of the greatest natural landscapes in North America - our irreplaceable view of one of the greatest rivers in the world from THE HIGHEST PROMONTORY NORTH OF THE GULF OF MEXICO?
The Natchez Indians understood the importance of this special place and this majestic (and strategic) view. The Spanish got it. The French got it. Can we get it today?
Well, I've taken some time to peruse the TPL website. Had never heard of it before. Best I can tell is that projects they've helped with have been the result of whole communities really indicating desire to preserve some endangered area of importance to the whole community. I would guess it might make an impression on this gentleman if all the various groups (or individuals) interested in bicycling, running, walking, planting, picnicing, boating, kayaking, flying kites - or just standing on the bluff in awe of the view - were to come to the public meeting to hear what might be possible if we all work together. This seems to be a private non-profit, not a government thing. I'm thinking that Mr. Morrow is here to observe our unity (public and private) as much as our bluffs. He doesn't need to impress us - we need to impress him. Can Natchez come together for once for something this important? It will be interesting to see on Tuesday evening.
"Man About Town" said it so well. This is what we need to realize and celebrate in our revitalization effort.
With great anticipation I recently visited Salem,Mass. I expected quaint streets and restored cottages, shops. I was eager to spend some money. We were there a very short time. After visiting a couple of quality museums we wandered toward the water's edge looking for a restaurant. There were very few, and nothing inviting. Very few tourists. Closer to the water we spotted the high rises: ofc. bldgs., condos. I'll never forget my disappointment. It was just plain ugly and we left.
I'm not sure what they would purchase anyway. The federal government already owns the large portion of bluff land where the national park is going. From Rosalie all the way to the Cock of the Walk is the City. There's really no more property other than the small piece Callon has and the small piece where the Condos are going.
My hope for Natchez is that the Bluff will be left alone. Natchez already has alot to offer tourists. For a city that depends so heavily on tourism I don't think that enough money is spent on advertising and marketing to draw in the dollars from tourism.
Especially after Katrina/Rita...I think our focus should be putting together a marketing plan for the treasures we already have here.
I'm afraid for our city. If the Bluff is developed and another casino is brought in, I forsee us looking back 20-30 years from now saying, "We should have left it alone."
I made the mistake of saying the Public Meeting was on Tuesday. NO! It's Wednesday at the Armstrong Library at 5:30.
Tuesday is important, though, because it's election day, so go vote!
So TPL was involved in the Melrose transaction.
I always thought there was something sleazy about that issue and TPL's involvement causes me to think they are not as good a thing as may appear.(?)
Hey hootenrosie,
Did you ever think that you would own a mansion and estate like Melrose? Because you do. It's public land now.
Right now, most of the downtown bluff top and the riverside below (excepting those parcels which our city has already sold to Biglane, Callon, Brown and Worley) are owned by you as well. You can go there anytime you want.
But if it gets sold into private ownership and developed, you might find a big "keep out" sign instead of a sunset view.
In the end it's all about who can pay the most MONEY.
Seems so, Anyomous. Big Money is always sniffing around that closed door at City Hall. So, what are you going to do about it? I encourage you to act, let them know you don't like it!!!
What's that last comment about? It doesn't make any sense? Are you saying that you don't want successful corporations to invest in our community?
Natchez will not move forward until July 2, 2009. Guess what happens then?
What happened to the TPL? Are they making a purchase in Natchez?
What happens in 2009?
My understanding is that the TPL will make an investment in Natchez IF AND ONLY IF the city and the community agree that it would be a good thing. I like what I heard. Especially the part about expanding the TPL involvement to help us with parks in underprivileged neighborhoods. We don't even have a public swimming pool in Natchez anymore! I hadn't really thought about that until the public meeting, but it's true.
We would love to hear comments from our distinguished Blog proprietor, Casey Ann, concerning speaker from TPL and her thoughts on his presentation for many of us who were unable to attend.
If I am not mistaking it is the municipal election. Then again, the new officials may take office in July of 2008. Whenever it is, it will not be a moment too soon.
Post a Comment