In his treatise "Mysteries of the Middle Ages," Thomas Cahill speaks about essential moments where everything is at stake. He is talking about the creation of the ancient city of Alexandria when it was planned.

James Rouse in the 1960s had the vision and imagination to create a city which dealt with the ills of our society: urban sprawl, racism, sexism, lack of affordable housing, treatment of the disabled etc. His great effort arrived in a moment of crisis in the future development of the "next America." His work, along with that of his colleagues, provided for "transition and transformation ... leaving us a world more varied and complex, more awesome and delightful, more beautiful than the one they had found" (Cahill).

We are again at a moment of crisis where our experience of living must be transformed in the face of national issues (oil, war, the environment, failure in the financial and housing sectors, etc.) Our opportunity is here and now as we face the transformation of Columbia's downtown, revitalization in our villages and opportunities for economic growth. We can make this a win-win situation by facing up to the issues facing us in the future: sustainability of the environment, less costly transportation, affordable housing, beauty, growth of the cultural arts in a diverse community, economic vitality and population growth.

I believe that we have the vision and the imagination to make it happen vis a vis the residents of Columbia and Howard County, the Columbia Association, the Howard County government, General Growth Properties and other businesses. The community has responded well so far. Let's keep creating, debating, and reaching consensus wherever we can. And let's move forward with a spirit of adventure and inventiveness.

Suzanne S. Waller

Town Center

Suzanne S. Waller represents Town Center on the Columbia Association's board of directors.

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