Urban Parks: Brentwood Park

[vicupstate]

I don't know why everyone gets upset because affluent neighborhoods have nice things. They pay the most property tax and the people who live there have generally earned their way. On the flip side, those who live in poverty pay the least taxes, are the biggest drain on the tax system and have also generally earned their way there. I would take an educated guess and say that while Jax has a 40% drop out rate, that also is higher in some neighborhoods and lower in the affluent neighborhoods. Regardless of the quality of education, dropping out is a personal choice locking one into an almost guaranteed state of poverty for the remainder of their life. I get pissed off at all those who think that because someone has worked hard, took on student loan debt, and lived a clean life should have to pay for a nice park in an area of town that has a high drop out rate and sucks up all my tax dollars in police coverage. Tell me how that is fair. If you don't think life is fair, then better yourself and you will see just how unfair it is to be on the other side of the coin. Why the hell should my children have to go will out a nice park because we need more cops in certain parts of town? Also keep in mind that many people in Jax pay a CDD fee on top of the normal property tax everyone else pays so those people have earned and paid for the right to have a nice neighborhood.   

Please explain to me why anyone deserves 'good' parks or 'bad' parks.  If your life choices have afforded you a more comfortable life, there is nothing unfair about that.  However, I don't see how that applies to this topic.

EVERYBODY pays the same property tax RATE.  If you pay more property taxes because you have a more expensive house, then you are getting more 'protection' from thief or fire, because you have a greater potential loss.  The human need for recreation and open space is not dependent on income.  If there were more safe, clean parks in good repair their might be more to occupy idle youths that otherwise might be getting in trouble. 

I don't know what a CDD fee is, so you will have to enlighten me on that. 

[thelakelander]

BTW Lake, Detroit may maintain its inner city parks but this seems to amount to nothing more than putting lipstick on a pig as the leadership there cannot or will not stem the outflow of people and the destruction of its housing stock resulting therefrom and are more interested in personal indiscretions it seems.  It really is a shame to witness the death of a great American city (although the suburbs appear to be fine).

The park maintenance is a recent improvement that has enhanced certain areas of the city.  However, Detroit's problems can not be solved by park upkeep.  Losing over 1 million residents over 60 years has dealt the city a blow that even the most progressive leaders would struggle to overcome.  Until the city can diversify its economic base, its a lost cause.  It rose with the auto industry and its dying along with it.  Nevertheless, incompetent leadership is definately not helping the problem.

[GatorDone]

In response to "vicupstate", I never said anyone deserves good or bad parks, what I was basically trying to say is that people need to stop playing the race card every time they see someone who has it better than they do, there is a reason for their better livelihood. Personally, I get sick every time the city budget comes around. The first thing you hear is that Rutherford needs more money to do his job and we as residents should sacrifice library hours and park funding to do it.

To answer your question, a CDD fee is a Community Development Fee which is a premium on property tax which is paid (generally for 30 years) to cover the costs of developing the neighborhood. Only the homes in that area pay the fee yet anyone in the community can use the facilities. They are used heavily in the newer developments and on average run anywhere from $1200 to $2400 per year in addition to the normal property tax. 

In all, I think "uptowngirl" hit the nail on the head; Jax leaders have no vision and can not see beyond the normal paradigms.

[TeddyBoy]

I got upset because a Jax supporter knocked Toledo, Ohio for no pedestrian traffic at 7 Am. on Saturday.
Ha Ha Ha......Boy your park looks  like it gets a lot of use.

[RiversideGator]

Actually, that park is underused as it is in a pretty shady part of town.