I saw a topic about 40% greenspace, which I think is a good idea, but I wanted to expand on the thought.

We all know Tuscaloosa is an auto-centric community. Most of us want to try and reduce our reliance on our cars, but we can't just quit them cold turkey. Simply limiting parking and increasing greenspace won't fix the problem.

My idea is that the city creates a community organization that is lead by community businesses. Everyone from the mom and pop stores to the McDonald's.

Things they could work together on:

- Shared parking: If we have businesses rebuilding in a planned and coordinated way, they could share new parking lots and reduce the amount of space that is taken up by unused asphalt. We would also increase greenspace.

- Urban communities: This is an easy one. Businesses want to be close together. Why? Sometimes they compliment eachother. Auto parts stores and oil changes. Restaurants and groceries (sometimes people wanna get groceries while they're out that night and save a bit of gas). Simply coordinate where we build can increase the sustainability of new development and will make an over better community for those that wish to live near these areas.

- Drainage: This is something that is usually undervalued. There are these things called "Bioswales." These features clean water, reduce runoff, and are visually pleasing. This improves both appearance, and health in our area. If we have businesses working together and coordinating their development, we can easily change the way even rainwater uses these areas.

These are just a few things they could work on. But, I think that the business community as a whole could really be a driving force in reviving the community.

The best part is that having people working together both respects and honors those who lost property and their lives. We need to make good use of space and do the best we can with what nature has dealt us.