Springwood History: Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain

Crest runs against Dan Clarke. The best point Clarke has been able to make against Crest is the Year of Eminent Domain. For one year of her term, Juliana Crest changed routes, moved the cargo harbors, and redesignated districts. Entire zones have shifted. She’s taken land for public use. Hundreds protested her repeated use of eminent domain. Crowds stood outside the tax office daily, with some of the passionate sleeping in tents. 

Although Juliana Crest has used this power more than any other mayor, she has provided large sums to the individuals and businesses who were forced out. Lyle Tumin, owner of Daisies & Lupins, received nearly $300,000 for the site of his business in Riverside Commercial. He took the money and bought another building two blocks down. He’s done more business and thanks Crest for his success. Carl Graham lost his home and was paid $200,000. He claimed the sum was “not equal to the memories I made at home.”

It can be argued that Crest’s use of eminent domain helped Springwood immensely. Beforehand, metro stations were aligned in all directions. Yes, citizens and tourists were using them, but the bus lines didn’t line up. The mayor adjusted the orientation of all lines. She worked with bus manager Tony Myrtle to design updated paths for public transport. “Springwood is growing,” Juliana Crest said in a live video, “and public transport ensures efficient transportation for everyone.” Comments on that video are varied, and most are not appropriate for this piece. Still, the most well-used metro line saves 43% of car trips, according to bus manager Myrtle. Crest’s use of eminent domain will play a role in her election, but her record is still high.

Airport Project

Springwood Airport is no JFK or LaGuardia. Mainly private jets use the tarmac currently. The airport, built just recently under our new Mayor, Carl Graham, serves just under 200 individuals. The project is the first of Graham’s initiatives as larger integrations to the region surrounding Springwood. Contractors from Forests United developed the plans to build the new airport. 

Using our local materials and workforce, the airport had its form progressively built over five years. Contractors maintained the glacial landmarks like boulders in their plans. In addition, the airport is connected to the local highway with a one-way large avenue. The decision to use a one-way road stemmed from a fear of traffic surrounding the air transportation center. One-way traffic and the nearby metro and bus stop, secure smooth travel for all. Tourists can take a bus or metro ride to nearby leisure shops. And locals now have access to far-reaching places of interest. 

Prior to Mayor Graham’s election, Juliana Crest updated public transportation and re-zoned various parts of the city. Traffic efficiency shot from 75% to 90%. Unfortunately for Crest, that achievement came after the election. Graham, who lost his home during the eminent domain year, ran his successful mayoral race on the slogan of “No more loss.” So far, the only loss has been a dip in the budget’s reserve. Otherwise, citizens feel more secure in knowing their homes won’t be taken.

Education

Our city boasts three educational centers: Foggy Trade School, Sheffield Arts Academy, and The University. Dotted with elementary and high schools across all residential districts, the city offers excellent resources for its citizens. Upper educational institutions have seen low enrollment. All told, perhaps 500 people are in school as young adults. Most of us stop at high school. Many of the jobs in Springwood don’t require a college degree, but that fact may be changing as office jobs open up in the busy commercial sectors.

Attending the trade school, arts academy, or Uni does offer some incentives. First off, two institutions host various sports arenas. You can play basketball or baseball at Foggy Trade, and swim at Sheffield. The Uni currently doesn’t offer athletics. Just recently developed, the campus is accepting new applicants.

It isn’t just athletics available. The facilities include a police academy and a school of education. Many teachers at local elementary and high schools are graduates of Sheffield Arts Academy. The current Police Chief, Roger Bateman, was in the first graduating class at the Foggy Police Academy. The educational budget hardly ever finds itself under debate. Every administration has moved the budget forward for public voting. This city’s educational system serves our citizens very well.

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