Over the past couple of weeks, we have been discussing the 63rd street corridor from Oak to Prospect in hopes of uncovering the true potential of the Landing Mall plot. This has not been without controversy or without opposing opinions, but through discussion comes understanding.

The section of 63rd covered is on the edge of a major divide between both race and economic status, Troost being the official-unofficial dividing line. Thus when doing a visual survey on foot, there was an expected difference between East and West.

The west side of Troost has undergone a major upgrade of visual facades as well as the addition of some new businesses; bars, bakeries, shops, etc. But unfortunately, the east side is not that lucky.

The east side is home to a different landscape, one of many vacant buildings and run down shops. Though the visual differences are substantial the real difference is something much more important but not talked about much.

My theory is that the landing has morphed into what it needs to be. It may seem like the mall is doing bad and surrounding businesses are lesser but that is not the case. The truth is that the market for some businesses are different in areas of low income and/or majority race. When we see a Gen-X and think that is a run down place that needs to be replaced with a ShopGirls, people around in the community see affordable clothing that suits their style and flavor.

The West and East side have different economies that are the way they are because of the free market. If anything were to change within the Landing, rents might go up and businesses once essential to the community would be replaced with gentrifying, destined to fail, white-washed ventures that will eventually all leave and lead us right back to where we are now. That is one outcome, the other is that the area after the mall gentrifies will then also gentrify. This is something that happens all the time, yes it would be GREAT for the area to see reinvestment, but that also means displacement among the surrounding community which is not GREAT.

The survey brought up a very different opinion and mindset for me going forward and looking at what to do for the landing has become very difficult. I am at a moral impasse and I am tempted to say do not do anything.