DPZ - first impressions

The D of DPZ is Andreis Duwanny. He is one of the most prominent proponents of New Urbanism, or the idea that neighborhoods should be walkable, have neighborhood stores, and should have houses that are friendly to the street.

I was prepared not to like him, to think that he was an arrogant architect who liked to dress in black and offered cookie cutter solutions to problems. My initial impression was too positive, he was clearly the prince and would call out commands, “get that phone number,” “put batteries in this…”

I have softened as I have watched him. The first big event he did was a public meeting, with 1000 people. The part that impressed me is that he is straight with people. He will give an answer even if it pisses people off. Some lady asked if they get to vote on the final plan about where to rebuild. He said, “I think you know the answer to that question. The answer is this is a democracy. You elected representatives and they will decide what to do. If you don’t trust them, you have no one to blame but yourself. If you don’t like what they decide, you can vote them out.”

He seems generally committed to helping the County and for the first time in a long time I am feeling hope that the County can come back.