Growth can look like nice buildings and more parking spots, but it also looks like dirt mounds and traffic cones.
Taylor University has been the recipient of many recent gifts and awards. These generosities have allowed the university to carry out several on-campus construction projects, as well as begin developing the one-mile stretch of Main Street that connects the university to downtown Upland, also known as The Main Street Mile Initiative.
Here at Taylor, we are in the hub of this growth. It is easy for us to perceive the present and future benefits of these expansion projects, but what about the surrounding community? Those who are only seeing the bulldozers and “road closed” signs with no context?
Michael Harbin, professor emeritus of biblical studies and Upland city council member, said that as he has spent more time outside of Taylor he has developed a fuller understanding of Upland. He has come to be aware that there are two communities within the town: one closely connected to Taylor, and one that has few ties or none at all.
Therefore, how might the latter group feel about Taylor’s recent expansion and its concentric effects?
As the university continues to grow in numbers and start new projects, it is important to consider the impact of our growth on the community around us, showing respect and communication with local residents.
Andrea Masvero, executive director of 1846 Enterprises, said it is always important to ensure the surrounding community is equipped and prepared before a nearby establishment embarks on projects that may have secondhand effects on the town’s utilities or the community members.
In order to do this, it is important to ask questions.
“Where are we on water? Where are we on sewer? And what do you have the capacity to process? And do we need to help you expand that capacity?” Masvero said.
The Upland City Council held a town hall meeting on Oct. 29 to address recent water issues that have been affecting local residents.
At this meeting, some community members voiced concerns over how Taylor’s recent growth will affect their resources. One community member inquired if the university’s addition of new residences will affect Upland’s own water capacity, and if so, how.
While the university has confirmed with town leaders that there are no capacity issues, we can still show respect for the concerns of the community by being open about what is taking place.
“I think the first part of the approach is one we're very actively engaged in, which is communicating,” Masvero said. “Being available for questions, being available to connect with people, being present at those town hall meetings and just being generally a part of the conversation with various groups.”
Mary Fletcher, Upland clerk-treasurer, said she sees Taylor’s growth as a positive thing and recognizes the ways the town is mutually benefitting from the university’s projects.
The city council views Taylor and Upland’s relationship as a partnership, where both parties want what’s best for one another, she said. Still, she acknowledged that parts of the community feel some growing pains.
“You're not going to always get 100% buy-in from the community,” Fletcher said. “There's always going to be skeptics, and there are just some residents that feel that, for whatever reason, Taylor is running the town.”
That is not the goal, Masvero said. Through its various projects and initiatives, Taylor hopes to provide Upland with more tax revenue and strengthen its resources, not deplete them.
Taylor recently received a $1.75 million grant, and part of this will be used to build a public road, Masvero highlighted. While the road will be built by 1846 Enterprises, it will ultimately be turned over to the town and become an added asset.
As Taylor continues to prioritize growth and development, Masvero said the way it approaches these things is important.
“It should be an approach that is careful and considered,” Masvero said. “We're not thinking of ourself in isolation, but in partnership with the town that we're part of … We're not just saying, ‘How do we grow?’ but ‘How do we do it in conjunction with (the) town?’”
A verse she refers to when thinking of this idea of growth is Jeremiah 29:7:
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Therefore, as Taylor adds more students and buildings, and embarks on new projects, it should never fail to consider the residents around them who are also affected by its growth.
