Downtown Seen and Unseen

"I don't want realism. I want magic. Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don't tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth."
--Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire)

In the eyes of some, downtown Cincinnati has been experiencing a renaissance. Whether it is the Banks project down by the river, the streetcar in progress, or Over the Rhine rehab, people marvel at the 'progress.'

This is a classic example of the seen and unseen principle.

What is seen is all of the new building. What is unseen is how resources for the new building have been obtained. Much have come by force--through taxes, evicting tenants and owners of real estate properties, and the issuance of debt that must be paid by taxes.

What is seen is growing residential and commercial activity. What is not seen is that many of the residents and storekeepers have been recipients of special privileges. Tax abatements, special grants and loans, the good fortune of having government sponsored projects built by their doorstep. Residents and storekeepers living away from downtown have not received the same privileges.

What is seen is activity today. What is unseen are the consequences of today's activity on tomorrow. Rising debt, central plans that do not work in the long run, the opportunity cost of resources squandered on public works projects funded by force rather than on project funded by voluntary investment.

Evaluating the effect of policy decisions on all people in the long run is a more intelligent way of assessing projects such as those unfolding in downtown Cincinnati.