So there was a front page feature on the history of Tempe Town Lake, a man-made reservoir just east of downtown Phoenix. You can read the article here if you like, but I'll summarize it for those who don't like to read (Doug): the concept was originally created in the '60s by ASU students, went through several design incarnations and funding structures, construction began in 1997, it opened in 1999, and they're going to have a 10th Anniversary celebration next month. It's a cool thing and is, according to the article, the most-visited attraction in the Valley. They have many events there and the development around the area has made the property extremely valuable (going from an appraised value of $4/sq. ft. in the late '80s to $42/sq. ft. last year...not bad, right?). But don't worry...despite the fact that most people seem to think it's a good thing, they managed to find a COH (Crotchety Old Hater) to take a crap in the clear blue waters...
While the list of lake headaches is long, one of the most commonly heard complaints is a result of its popularity. Many Tempe residents say the city allows too many events on the waterfront, preventing locals from enjoying the lake in peace.
The headaches listed include that it costs money (natch) to maintain the lake, that there are mosquitoes, and that the city is not yet using reclaimed water to keep the lake full, and as such, it may be wasting water. One of those is a valid complaint (the water one). Of course, installing the technology necessary to use that reclaimed water would cost more money, so...
Arthur Jacobson has lived in a neighborhood near Town Lake since 1962. He is a longtime critic of the lake.
Ah, yes, our COH. I'm sure he doesn't like that he has to pay for it...
"In the best weather they let this place get overrun with what I call the foreigners. (But) we're the ones who paid for it, still paying for it, we should be able to take our boats out without all that congestion," he said.
Yeah, that's it...he doesn't like paying for it, and...wait...what? Um...I think I missed something here:
"In the best weather they let this place get overrun with what I call the foreigners."
Egad! The FOREIGNERS? Who the hell is this guy? Is he related to these guys? I'm sure he knows they're foreigners based on their brownness...or maybe the way they dress? And that first part...they let this place get overrun. Who is they? I guess he means the local government? And I can only assume that what he means about "let[ting] this place get overrun" is that they have events that draw people to the lake. I don't imagine that these events use the lake for free, so I guess it probably defrays a good chunk of the government's (and therefore, the taxpayers') costs for the maintenance of the lake. So he's a have-my-cake-and-eat-it-to-er! I don't think these people (you know, the foreigners) should be able to use my lake, but I don't want to pay for it. But I want to use it.
Although Jacobson enjoys boating on the lake, he said it was not worth the investment. He is also disappointed in the existing development Tempe allowed on the lake.
"I don't care how pretty it is. ... There will never be enough development to cover the costs," he said. "If they want it to be a public park like Central Park, then stick to that. There's not a bunch of condos in Central Park."
What the fuck? Let's go from back to front...no, there are not a bunch of condos *in* Central Park. But I think if he had ever been to NYC, the COH would be well aware that Central Park is completely surrounded by giant buildings. I don't think anybody is suggesting that Tempe build condos in the park...they're saying that the property surrounding the park is very valuable, and increasing development would help defray the costs of the park's upkeep. Makes sense to me.
But before that, he says he enjoys boating on the lake but it was not worth the investment. He likes it, he uses it, but he wishes it wasn't there. What a maroon.
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