Mayors' state of the city addresses usually are eminently forgettable. But Tuesday's assessment by Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland outlined a vision that puts his city squarely into 21st century mode.
Instead of relying on the old nonsense about competing with big 'ol Fargo across the Red River, Voxland emphasized factors that confirm the interdependence of the neighboring cities. He said among his priorities are securing the city's water supply and constructing a regional arts center. Both priorities rose to the top of surveys sent to members of the city council and other boards.
On the Fargo side, water is high on Mayor Bruce Furness' list. The desire for an arts center showed up among Fargo citizens as a major priority during the campaign and vote to fund a downtown multipurpose arena. The arena plan failed in large part because voters said they would rather see a performing arts center in downtown Fargo.
Moorhead, of course, has an identity that does not depend on Fargo. But Moorhead's progress in the last decade (Fargo's, too) has in large part turned on a new cooperative relationship among civic and business leaders in both cities. The economies of the cities are linked. The river is not a barrier, but rather an opportunity for cooperative development in areas such as water supply, parks and greenways and commercial and residential development. Both downtowns have made major strides in removing blighted districts and replacing them with appropriate renovations and new construction. One result has been renewed retail and other business interests downtown. Another has been a return to urban living in apartments and condominiums.
Both downtowns are livelier today than they've been in decades.
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But Mayor Voxland's vision is larger than downtown. He was at the helm in his first term as groundwork was laid for significant commercial, educational and residential developments. His second term will see an expansion of Moorhead's retail sector that is unprecedented in the city's recent history. Improvements in highways and secondary access roads into the city will generate more opportunities for investment in homes and businesses.
Add to Moorhead's exciting mix the two major campuses - Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College - and the city has even more potential as a student-friendly college town.
Mayor Voxland's roots in Moorhead go deep. He knows the history and embraces the future. That's good leadership.
Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper's Editorial Board.
