Ring out the old and ring in…what?

We’ve had our expectations piqued for an elegant, new, exciting, and ultra-trendy IKEA store for so long now. The news that the retailer giant will not be following through with its one-time plan for setting up shop at the new and improved Assembly Square development has left a great void to be filled. Well, one heck of a huge piece of commercial real estate to be filled with something, anyway.

Now begins all the fuss and ballyhoo as interested individuals and institutions push for their own preferred solutions. Shall it be another mega-retailer? A soccer stadium, complete with a ready-made team? What about another public “green space” for our enjoyment?

Each idea has potential merits and drawbacks. It’s now up to the city and its citizenry to evaluate and ultimately approve some sort of a plan for the so rudely abandoned property. May all concerned look for the best possible answer for the betterment of our community.

This property has the potential for adding a lot of much needed tax revenue for the city. Likewise, the right tenant can add much to the quality of life here.

We all hope for the best as the search for a new plan for this site commences. This is an important issue that deserves our complete involvement as concerned residents of a city we love.

Let us proceed with confidence that we can and will succeed in making the Assembly Square project a complete and fully functioning force in our city’s economy and in our professional and personal lives.