“Thus in all these ways we will transmit this City ... greater and more beautiful than when it was transmitted to us.” --The Athenian Oath
This ancient oath, sworn as an act of citizenship, captures the spirit of Friends of Downtown Glenview and other MainStreet groups. Most notably, that "beauty" is on the list of civic commitments. Town planning involves aesthetic choices — which can be highly political —since a city is essentially an ensemble of individual buildings linked by citizen’s decisions. Yet design preferences are particularly important for public spaces, as illustrated in this picture of a Glenview administrative building, which was recently restored to serve as an anchor and precursor for future development.
During divisive times for national politics, perhaps it's time for such a local, personal and timeless commitment to civic improvements.
