If Tuscaloosa can sustain the University Mall and Mid-Town Village with just 90,000 residents and students, it does so mostly based on the incomes of just 50% of the population (middle and upper). So, any rebuilding plan that looks towards the future has to address what we can do to improve the livelihoods (and purchasing power) of the other 50% of the area residents. Of course, programs that focus on education are indispensable to this, as a better educated work force can attract higher paying jobs. Futhermore, we have to recognize that education is much more than just "school" it's about community building. So, we have to tie educational programs into awareness programs such as the urban gardens that have been proposed, after school programs at parks and recreations, arts programs, etc.. (Of course, we will have to have better public transportation and improve connectivity and flow among the Tuscaloosa Communities so that children can get to critical after school programs). We also need to ensure that these ideas discussed on this website are made available to the residents in those poorest areas that were affected by the storms-- who do not have access to Internet -- so we can get them involved in the rebuilding dialogue.

But, if we look to these issues, we will not only re-build Tuscaloosa as a better city for our residents, we will make it an attractive place for outside investors and business and we will be taking important steps to ensure that we have a sustainable economic future!