Book released at Earth Day 1993 by Spunky Duck Press, ISBN 0-9636687-06-6, $4.95 UPDATES SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THIS BOOK IN SMALLER GREEN TEXT. Neglection of Citizen Input The research and business park planning committee insisted that citizen input would be pursued throughout the planning process. In response to the research and business park plan, a citizens group formed to greet the need for a unified voice, called the Asylum Lake Preservation Association (ALPA). Engaging a daunting task, ALPA prepared an alternative plan to the university's efforts, requiring only 160 acres of development rather than the 265 acres WMU is considering. ALPA's presentation included three reports, one calling for publicly initiated standards, and two reports on preliminary and performance standards. The most recent summary plan WMU supports lacks the important covenant deeds and restrictions. ALPA's alternative plan was adopted to the final summary report, "A Concept for a Research and Business Park Kalamazoo Michigan" as the first plan scheme. Reasons against the plan included deficiencies in environmental amenities, size for regional growth, concealment of park's presence and traffic circulation. The "regional growth" deficiency is defined by the university's desires to expand. Limited to 165 acres when WMU is pushing for 265 acres, limited size violates the university's growth objectives, not the regional community. The absence of environmental amenities for park tenants would result in the presence of such amenities for the public. By not invading the Colony Farm Orchard and Asylum Lake parcel, a larger amount of open and forested space would be available for public appreciation. Apparently WMU feels the greenscape view provided for its tenants assumes precedence over the needs of the community. But how would WMU know what the needs of the community are if they don't communicate with them? Wide-scale education and presentation of the park plans to the community have not been pursued. Despite various neighborhood association assertions against the park, planning continues. At one time, WMU vowed to work with members of ALP in the development of the park plan; that association never materialized. On occasion, members of the university administration have belittled ALPA and its two most prominent members, Mark Hoffman and Montford Piercey, declaring the organization to be the "Mark and Monty Show." Teasing the most outspoken opponents to the research and business park is not a mature manner in which to communicate with the community. The WMU's campus community has not been consulted in the planning of the research and business park. As state support for tuition goes down and state allocations for university-related construction increases, many students are dismayed to discover that they are losing the battle for financially-stable education. Waldo Library, Reed Fieldhouse and the Gary Center are recent renovation projects. The Academic Computer Center, Haworth College of Business, Lee Honors College, Miller Auditorium parking ramp and, recently added to the list, a new science building, constitute a barrage of new construction on campus. Adding the research and business park to that list, WMU seems to be more concerned with construction than education. Discussion between WMU officials and the citizens of Kalamazoo County has been stifled by an administration that is determined to build this park no matter what opposition. If they were truly unafraid of citizen opinion, WMU would have pursued a referendum to exhibit the support for the project that they seem to feel exists. Rather, they have clouded any chance for discussion and negotiation between a smoke-screen of administrative negligence. BACK TO THE HAVEN: A TREATISE ON ASYLUM LAKE TABLE OF CONTENTS |
HAVEN: A Treatise on Asylum Lake |
Asylum Lake Controversy Kalamazoo County, MI |
Book released at Earth Day 1993 by Spunky Duck Press, ISBN 0-9636687-06-6, $4.95 UPDATES SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THIS BOOK IN SMALLER GREEN TEXT. Neglection of Citizen Input The research and business park planning committee insisted that citizen input would be pursued throughout the planning process. In response to the research and business park plan, a citizens group formed to greet the need for a unified voice, called the Asylum Lake Preservation Association (ALPA). Engaging a daunting task, ALPA prepared an alternative plan to the university's efforts, requiring only 160 acres of development rather than the 265 acres WMU is considering. ALPA's presentation included three reports, one calling for publicly initiated standards, and two reports on preliminary and performance standards. The most recent summary plan WMU supports lacks the important covenant deeds and restrictions. ALPA's alternative plan was adopted to the final summary report, "A Concept for a Research and Business Park Kalamazoo Michigan" as the first plan scheme. Reasons against the plan included deficiencies in environmental amenities, size for regional growth, concealment of park's presence and traffic circulation. The "regional growth" deficiency is defined by the university's desires to expand. Limited to 165 acres when WMU is pushing for 265 acres, limited size violates the university's growth objectives, not the regional community. The absence of environmental amenities for park tenants would result in the presence of such amenities for the public. By not invading the Colony Farm Orchard and Asylum Lake parcel, a larger amount of open and forested space would be available for public appreciation. Apparently WMU feels the greenscape view provided for its tenants assumes precedence over the needs of the community. But how would WMU know what the needs of the community are if they don't communicate with them? Wide-scale education and presentation of the park plans to the community have not been pursued. Despite various neighborhood association assertions against the park, planning continues. At one time, WMU vowed to work with members of ALP in the development of the park plan; that association never materialized. On occasion, members of the university administration have belittled ALPA and its two most prominent members, Mark Hoffman and Montford Piercey, declaring the organization to be the "Mark and Monty Show." Teasing the most outspoken opponents to the research and business park is not a mature manner in which to communicate with the community. The WMU's campus community has not been consulted in the planning of the research and business park. As state support for tuition goes down and state allocations for university-related construction increases, many students are dismayed to discover that they are losing the battle for financially-stable education. Waldo Library, Reed Fieldhouse and the Gary Center are recent renovation projects. The Academic Computer Center, Haworth College of Business, Lee Honors College, Miller Auditorium parking ramp and, recently added to the list, a new science building, constitute a barrage of new construction on campus. Adding the research and business park to that list, WMU seems to be more concerned with construction than education. Discussion between WMU officials and the citizens of Kalamazoo County has been stifled by an administration that is determined to build this park no matter what opposition. If they were truly unafraid of citizen opinion, WMU would have pursued a referendum to exhibit the support for the project that they seem to feel exists. Rather, they have clouded any chance for discussion and negotiation between a smoke-screen of administrative negligence. BACK TO THE HAVEN: A TREATISE ON ASYLUM LAKE TABLE OF CONTENTS |
