MICROPOLITANS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Part 4

MICROPOLITANS: THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Realtor and developer Burke Robertson grew up in Mt. Airy. He left for a while, living in more urban areas, but came back to the city because he saw the potential here, which he terms “limitless.”

“Because of technology – fax machines, the Internet – you can live anywhere. I know a New York City mortgage broker who lives here. Another guy publishes three trade magazines that are printed in Philadelphia and his graphics guy lives in Vermont,” said Robertson.

“The downside of technology is that it makes things impersonal,” he said.

“But in a community like Mt. Airy, when you go to the grocery store you see the same people all the time. You speak to them because you see them, even if you don’t know their names. That’s not something that happens in urban areas.”

Robertson believes that the area will continue to grow as a mature community, drawing fifty-somethings who are still vital and active but are looking down the road to retirement. The city appeals to people who are moving an existing business or are looking to make a career change.

“Micros must avoid mistakes such as strip center development and contributing to traffic congestion. And you need a central core, a people place,” he said.

Brookshire echoes similar sentiments. He believes that the challenges for micros include “the competing desires to develop the community further and add to the tax base versus the desire to retain the elements that make the community special; the need to enhance services to the population on a limited tax base and the recognition that there continues to be a shortage of high paying, high quality jobs for our residents.”

Brookshire neatly summed up the essence of the “micro mystique” that draws businesses and residents alike.

“A small town atmosphere where you can walk down the street and be recognized is important…It’s about the quality of life in a community such as ours.”