Columbia’s Deflated Ego
By Fred Parry, Columbia Confidential
Fred Parry is the publisher of Inside Columbia magazine and a weekly television commentator on KRCG-TV.
As a community, Columbia has an exceptionally high level of self-esteem. We’re a progressive community with plenty of great “quality of life” amenities. We don’t mind rubbing our greatness in the face of the rest of the Show-Me State. Why keep it a secret, right? Our confidence is not imaginary; it’s fueled by a score of national rankings, magazine articles and random claims to fame. We are acutely aware of all the many things that make us special.
However when things don’t go as planned, and in those rare instances when the luster fades even temporarily, the town suddenly goes quiet.
Case in point: We’ve stubbed our toes a few times in the last couple of months and nobody wants to talk about it. The temporary closing of both the Missouri Theatre and the YouZeum are an embarrassment to a community that prides itself on exceeding everyone’s expectations. The original boosters who took early ownership and put on countless dog-and-pony shows at Rotary Clubs, foundations and supper clubs have now faded into the woodwork, distancing themselves from their failed projects. It’s likely now that millions of dollars of donations from local families, businesses and civic groups might as well have been flushed down the toilet.
What went wrong? Speculation points at weak business plans, overzealous promoters and a brutal economic downturn that turned fundraising efforts into a grueling exercise. Folks got tired and just gave up. It’s hard to point fingers. You’ve got to admire the entrepreneurial spirit even if it meant risking other people’s money. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?
Unfortunately, civic leaders and big money donors will be reluctant to gamble again on a big idea that might benefit the whole community. That’s a shame. After all, we live in a community that took a big gamble in the 1830s when business leaders made the initial financial investment in what is now the University of Missouri. If not for that gamble, we’d look a lot like Fulton.
Let’s hope someone steps forward very soon with a big idea for saving these two community treasures.
- Fred Parry
Tell me what you think. Send your thoughts on this topic to fred@insidecolumbia.net