The walkable proximity to parks (formal, Wilcox; informal, Aquinas campus), business districts (Eastown, Wealthy, Cherry, GLV), and even downtown GR makes our neighborhood a delightful rarity in the midwest.
For the walkability I love, the sidewalks are dangerously under-maintained. Height differentials between slabs of 1+” are common trip hazards. Maybe it’s because we are the oldest neighborhood in the city? Maybe we’re off the radar of the City when it comes to sidewalk repairs? Compare the sidewalk on the north side of Wealthy from Plymouth to Gladstone with that east of Plymouth. This is a high traffic sidewalk and major connector between Eastown and EGR. The western portion of this stretch is very poorly maintained compared to the eastern.
Thinking about the future, I worry about the possible closure of Aquinas College and the uncertain impact that would have on our neighborhood. The cohort of 18 year olds will continue to shrink for some time. Small, expensive, liberal arts colleges are now and will continue to be under enormous pressure. Might there be something the City can do now to ensure influence over this large property if (when?) Aquinas closes?