It was hard to get excited about much. The first speaker, outgoing 2006-2007 DSA Chair Pat Callahan (a real estate guy), is a terrible public speaker (sorry Callahan) and as a result (though still without excuse) the crowd's murmur rose somewhat over Callahan's farewell, devoted largely to the viaduct. Stalling an immediate rebuilt viaduct was considered a great victory; the outstanding potential of a rebuilt viaduct was the next great threat. The viaduct problem was one of too many self-interests.
After Callahan was done the incoming 2007-2008 DSA Chair, John Hanley (a real estate lawyer guy), gave a bland speech that said absolutely nothing and was completely uninspiring. His introduction to the podium, with a broad array of boards he's served on (from affordable housing to alcoholism and others I can't remember), was more interesting than his speech.
Kate Joncas, DSA President, turned things around. She spoke with some energy about a downtown's ability to foster diverse interaction and its importance to civil society. People outside downtown live and interact with too many people too similar to themselves and the Internet is largely a collection of niches. (Here was something to think about.) She said that great public open spaces were needed in order to draw a diverse crowd downtown. Her hope was to see a family picnic outside City Hall and girl scouts selling cookies (I think she said) on 2nd and Pine. That got a laugh and then some applause.
The final speaker was Edward K. Uhlir, the man put in charge of creating Millennium Park in Chicago by Mayor Daley. The park is absolutely amazing. Uhlir gave a very informative presentation that held the crowd's interest; the man himself sounded tired however.
Here's to hoping the economy doesn't tank by next February when DSA holds the State of Downtown event, the closest it gets to a party.
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