The fate of the “Southside Dream” is in the hands of the Monroe City Council members, the majority of whom represent the Southside. Its outcome should be obvious, but Monroe Mayor Oliver Ellis is working behind the scenes to water it down with a “Northside version” of the Southside Dream or kill it altogether.
For the first time, South Monroe has developed a written plan to change the quality of life of South Monroe. Earlier this year, the Southside Economic Development District unanimously approved a 25-year, 47-project that will do for South Monroe what the mayor is doing for millionaire investors pursuing the “Downtown Dream.”
The City Council unanimously approved the “Southside Dream,” with the provision that no public money can be loaned or made available to private businesses in South Monroe. It was effectively gutted at the request of Mayor Ellis who is opposed to giving Southside minorities, women, and the disabled access to public funds through bank loan guarantees and subsidies. Ironically, the mayor is not opposed to helping millionaires get city money in pursuit of the “Downtown Dream.”
The Southside plan is massive and will need $500 million to complete. SEDD will need to generate $200 million from local, state, and federal sources. It will also need $300 million from private investors for its convention complex, water-park, healthcare and entertainment districts, super-market, and other projects.
Before any private investors will put down big dollars in South Monroe, a major investment will be needed to develop safe neighborhoods, reduce crime and create a business-friendly environment.
Support for the Southside Dream will be the litmus test for any future politician seeking support from South Monroe. They will either be for us or against us, there is no middle ground.
Last month SEDD requested the city council to approve a special financing deal to direct $1 million a year for 25 years toward the “Southside Dream.”
Of course, the mayor is busy lobbying against the “Southside Dream.” Think of that; he’s busy telling South Monroe residents that they are dreaming too big, scale it down.
We do not oppose the “Downtown Dream!”
We think what is being done downtown is wonderful!
The Southside council members have been supportive of the mayor’s agenda. In pursuit of the “Downtown Dream” they have rubber-stamped giveaways to the mayor’s political friends, underwritten hundreds of thousands of dollars for studies, paid above market value prices to purchase buildings and right of ways, relaxed standards to allow the mayor’s investor friends to build and improve areas along Desiard.
Over the last few weeks, Southside council members endured three humiliating district meetings called by the city to ask Southside residents for input on the “Downtown Dream” without discussing the “Southside Dream.”
To paraphrase Sojourner Truth, we ask, “Ain’t we people, too?”
Why isn’t our dream important?
We, the great-grandchildren of former slaves, are tired of begging the Massa. We are no longer slaves, we have a right to our own dream!
We have a right to have safe neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and a prosperous economic climate. That’s our dream.
Our council members have shown support for the Downtown Dream, but it’s time for our dream to happen.
It’s time to take care of South Monroe.
To paraphrase Billye Holiday: “Northside may have, Downtown may have, but God bless the child that’s got his own.”
Council members: “Handle your business!”
