What I mean by this is to extend all sidewalks, bike paths, etc... into the city.

I'm sure we've all noticed how the University's pedestrian networks simply end at the campus borders. That needs to change. The city did well with improving pedestrian accessibility at the 15th/Hackberry intersection.

Think of it as a tree:

- As the University grows, it issues roots that grow into the surrounding communities.

- These roots are things like sidewalks, greenways, parks, roads, and even bus routes.

- Like a tree, as the trunk (the University) expands, the roots extent further and further into the city and engages more and more parts of the city.

- As for the foliage and fruit in this metaphor, it's the economic success. Success in land owners in affected areas being able to more easily redevelop/rebuild.

If we allow the University to interconnect with the city, it becomes more livable, more economically vibrant, more successful, etc...

Plus, it truly allows the land owners in affected areas to have greater flexibility in what they decide to do with their land. With more interest in the land surrounding the University, they have more options.

Along with allowing the University to extent its "roots," the city should comprehensively adopt SmartCode in order to give the affected land owners EVEN MORE flexible, and EVEN MORE options when it comes to rebuilding and recovering.

ADDITIONALLY, we should form a solid partnership with the University and the schools. Having students, professors, and researchers regularly going into schools. Working with kids, teaching kids, and simply letting them know that there's life and education beyond high school is a way to ensure that they'll have a better life later.

We have a fine opportunity now to really get the city, schools, and university working together to not only rebuild the city physically, but intellectually.