Richard Florida, a critically acclaimed scholar, wrote a book a few years ago about The Creative Class. Lately he wrote that the economic downturn of the last few years, while cyclical, "... must yield a new high-density urban landscape." Florida goes on to say that in order for cities to be economically and sociologically successful they cities must amp up their "urban metabolism" by attracting a "creative class." That creative class, consisting of artists, Internet types, writers, academics, business visionaries, medical researchers, tech super-nerds and "high bohemians." High-bohemians translates to gay (LGBT) and gay friendly. I am only drawing an analogy here: according to the Pew Charitable Trust "State of the City" report, the Wash West area (gayborhood) is one of a only a small number and the number three area of the city that is actually witnessing an increase in property values over the last two years. The condos and single family properties in the Gayborhood today are moving briskly and there is limited product. LGBT and their allies are the creative class and they are living in one of the only areas increasing. Is Florida's prediction coming true? Shouldn't the government be funneling more instead of less resources to this class? Shouldn't the city be embracing seminars like TEDX hosted by Chris Bartlett. This is the type of economic development that the city might be better off pursuing.
