Dear Ann Arbor friends, if you have not yet signed the petition calling for a vote on the downtown library lot as to whether it should be preserved as a civic commons, please do! It is possible you may find a petition at the Big City Small World Bakery on the corner of Spring and Miller, and it's quite likely someone has petitions at the Farmer's Market today in Kerrytown. Let me know if you would like to sign but can't find a petition (I have some).
While some consider the idea of a civic commons in this location contentious, so far we all agree that we live in a democracy. I mean at least I think we all agree. I mean we did. Didn't we? Well, anyway, the idea of this petition is that we should vote on this issue, as a community. This is public space, and the public should have a say in what happens in the center of the city.
Personally, I am an advocate for peace and freedom in the center of town, with space for a dance floor and an outdoor café like they have in Bryant Park in New York City. Of course, that park is a privately managed public park, so go figure.
Here is some footage from one of the International Peace Day events in the commons a few years ago, sponsored by the Megiddo Peace Project and the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
These two groups, along with the Library Green Conservancy, have been strong proponents for public engagement on this issue, and I am grateful for their efforts.
While some consider the idea of a civic commons in this location contentious, so far we all agree that we live in a democracy. I mean at least I think we all agree. I mean we did. Didn't we? Well, anyway, the idea of this petition is that we should vote on this issue, as a community. This is public space, and the public should have a say in what happens in the center of the city.
Personally, I am an advocate for peace and freedom in the center of town, with space for a dance floor and an outdoor café like they have in Bryant Park in New York City. Of course, that park is a privately managed public park, so go figure.
Here is some footage from one of the International Peace Day events in the commons a few years ago, sponsored by the Megiddo Peace Project and the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti branch of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
These two groups, along with the Library Green Conservancy, have been strong proponents for public engagement on this issue, and I am grateful for their efforts.
