More trouble at the bridge

After being the site of robberies on October 20th and November 12, the Columbia footbridge over US29, connecting Oakland Mills and Town Center, will receive more police presence.  The Patch has an article about it here.

So the increased police presence is a nice gesture towards Oakland Mills and the community.  But there needs to be a long-term solution regarding that bridge.  Otherwise, that area's not going to get any better.

My view is that one of two things need to happen regarding the footbridge area.  And pronto.  One, is that the bridge simply go away.  Just tear the damn thing down and be done with it.  That would make sure that there wouldn't be any more crime problems in that area.

The better approach would be to rebuild this stupid thing.  I'd be interested to know how that $600,000 to study the feasibility of an enhanced connector over US29 is being spent-- or has been spent.  It would seem that given recent events, something new can't come to the Oakland Mills area soon enough.

Hopefully, the crime news won't discourage the existence of an east Columbia-downtown Columbia connector.  Rather, it should encourage the creation of a new connector which can bring greater vibrancy to both sides of the bridge.

Comments

[b.santos]

53 - although you and I have a great deal of agreement in our point of view, I have to take exception here. The bridge connects two villages, two communities. If an incident happens on the bridge, it affects both communities. To put this only on OM is bad form. If you want a new bridge, you need to involve both sides. I have serious reservations that more concrete = less crime, but to say this would only benefit OM makes it a non-starter.

[Marshmallow Man]

Hrm. Compass Guy, I take exception to your exception. True, in my second reference I do specify Oakland Mills, but I do mention "connecting Oakland Mills and Town Center", "Oakland Mills and the community", "east Columbia- downtown Columbia connector", and "both sides of the bridge".

I feel all pretty clear indications that both sides of the bridge should be concerned, and involved!

[louis vuitton taschen billig]

Non so cosa dire. Questo blog è fantastico.