Isn't it ironic

The 6/1 New York Times has a feature about the redevelopment of the former Stapleton airport in Denver and its developer Forest City Enterprises.

Interestingly, Cleveland is home to Forest City, the nation's leader in gentrification development. The model for its business is a byproduct of rehabbing the Terminal Tower.

Is it me or does anyone else find it ironic that Forest City's expertise isn't being applied in its home city; a town desperate for re-invention. In fact, the company hasn't been active in development inside NEO since the Tower City project in the mid-1980s. What's keeping it out?

Forest City EVP Ron Rattner gave some explanations to the National Trust when it met in Cleveland in 2003. He cited archaic laws, inflexible legislators and a political mentality that's intolerant to the tax breaks that are necessary to inspire urban redevelopment and make the effort profitable for a publicly held company like Forest City, which is responsible to shareholders.

A quick visit to Forest City's website (http://www.fceinc.com/) gives easy testimony to inspired urban growth from redevelopment and re-use of historic buildings.

Again, isn't ironic that inspired solutions to our region's malaise are right under our collective noses.