A well-known soliloquy by the Shakespearean character, Hamlet, begins with the existential question, “To be or not to be”. Although Hamlet is addressing a personal course of action, the same question can be applied in a myriad of circumstances.
Our communities have evolved from a scattering of towns and villages to a sprawling metropolis. Some have retained their identity, but others succumbed to the economic and statewide pressure to produce more residential units without a similar commitment to vibrant commercial centers to serve them.
Fremont is a good example of identity theft through deliberate actions to constrict and to some degree eliminate the character and identity of its historic districts and replace them with a downtown and civic center. While the districts have in most cases declined to iconic memories, a replacement has yet to materialize.
Fremont, one of the largest cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, is an amorphous mass of housing and industry with a few commercial hubs but most in decline, replaced by residential development. Historic districts, once a measure of identity have almost all disappeared and political replacements based on population and varrious other factors, are not strong or cohesive identifiers for most residents. I suspect that many have no idea who represents them on city council.
Our mayors and city council persons might consider strengthening community identity through a program that highlights positive aspects of their community. Each member of the city council would have the opportunity to select a person, organization, or physical attribute of their district or city to highlight and give official recognition at the council meeting.
Hopefully, the days of brick-and-mortar shops, local retail hubs as well as strong, iconic downtown/civic centers are in the future for Fremont. Other cities of the greater Tri-City area also need to pay attention to strong retail economic growth to balance intense housing pressures. Residents of our cities deserve a clear vision of civic aspirations and timelines to achieve them.
As we enter the 2024 political year, those asking for support at the ballot box should let their constituents know what is “to be”.