I need help and committed civic activists who want to see something actually come of an innovation district and have real community input: It was a well attended RAILmesa: Retail, Arts, Innovation & Livability monthly meeting as always. People are hungry for knowledge about what plans and happenings are in process and electeds on all levels have never made it easy to participate in public processes. The innovation district is great in theory but we need more community members at the table. If you are willing to give a little Time working on this from a community standpoint, I and a few other community members are willing to be the organizer of a coordinated effort make this happen in a way that benefits the community. ——————-my opinion zone——————- My personal opinion (not any other group I am associated with) on the innovation district in Downtown Mesa, Arizona as presented by The Brookings Institution: - City Officials have no clear plan. - There is no clear way for the community to be involved. - This is another top down “idea” that is not backed by any infrastructural coordination. - There is no plan to lead in diversity or inclusionary practices. - There is no viable economic development plan to support programs to uplift small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs, no real community outreach plan. - There is no dedicated funding to make any of the above even start to happen. Brookings guiding principles for an innovation district: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/metropolitan-revolution/2017/09/08/12-principles-guiding-innovation-districts-2/ We have great talent pools like HeatSync Labs, #yesphx, Mesa Community College networking academy and entrepreneurs group, East Valley Institute of Technology, EVIT entrepreneurs as well as Creative Catalysts artist entrepreneurs who are not at the table. Add this “plan” to the graveyard of unfunded and unplanned dreams that city officials use as leverage to push their own political agendas. (Cough Cough giving ASU buildings was already voted down Giles, stop your consistent effort to undermine the voters) #iheartmesa #commUNITY #innovationdistrict #economicdevelopment #entrepreneur #communityquarterback (at The Nile)
