A tale of two Auroras?

Congratulations to the city of Aurora and the municipal employees and other representatives who helped land our fair city among the winners of the National Civic League's 2008 All-America City Award. (See Monday's Aurora Sentinel print edition for more on this story.)

Before I say anything, I should note that the award is based on a city's ability to address problems within the community utilizing "innovative solutions." In Aurora's case, the presentation was focused on the revitalization of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center site, the integration of immigrants into the community, and an after-school program through Aurora Public Schools.

Much will be said in the Sentinel and other publications and media outlets about the award. I am not one to say they are undeserving, but I do have an issue with how this all will play out with the public.

When the average person hears that Randomtown, USA is an 'All-American City,' they don't understand the criteria used to award the honor. Golden, Colorado — a city I spent some time working before moving to Aurora — failed in recent years to attain the same honor and distinction from the National Civic League, and few would argue that Golden is not among one of the finest places in the Denver metro area: Scenic, decent roads, plenty to do for visitors and residents alike. But Golden didn't win because other cities have better stories fitting in with the specific reasonings behind the All-America City Award.

City officials have been upfront about using the award in their marketing for the city — that Aurora will receive "national attention" because of the distinction. And while I'm not one to say Aurora is not deserving of greater attention and strong methods of marketing, I'm not one who thinks the ends always justify the means.

Putting up signs along the city-limit markers touting Aurora's All-America status is fine and good, but it's a convenient way to make people think the best of the city when there is still such a wide chasm between the areas surrounding Original Aurora and the growing developments in the southern section of the city.

While the neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora and Original Aurora have seen much-needed redevelopment, much of the city north of Sixth Avenue remains forgotten by many — they don't want to think about the economic and social issues facing many in the area until it comes time to review CSAP scores from the neighborhood.

I'm not trying to denigrate the city; think of me as the anti-Marc Athony: I come to praise Aurora, not bury it. But for every success story we see — the growing Town Center/Municipal Center area, Southlands, etc. — there are areas that still need improvement if every area within city limits is able to live up to what most of us consider an 'All-American City,' regardless of what the National Civic League says.
Please don't read into this that there are easy-to-decipher boundaries between Old Aurora and New Aurora, Poor Aurora and Rich Aurora, APS Aurora and Cherry Creek Aurora... or that these divergent classifications are even worthy of consideration. There is one Aurora with both strengths and weaknesses.

I've lived in an area of the Cherry Creek School District within walking distance of parks, great restaurants and mass transit that were absolutely unbearable because of the noise and lack of respect for public property. I've also lived in an area of the APS district that's not near any parks, good restaurants or mass transit that suits me just fine because it's quiet and there's a sense of community and pride. While it may seem that I'm suggesting there are simple ways to think about this city, its people and its civic values, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Perhaps this award will bring the recognition to both the city's achievements and faults so that we can build upon the first and improve upon the latter. If that happens, I will be glad to help lead the cheers for Aurora; for now, I'll try to stay as even-handed in my praise for the city as I am in my criticisms.