Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop, talks to Troy about his tour of the United Way building with Toledo architect, Paul Sullivan.
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Ben Konop: Toledo Needs Density Not Green Space
By troy neff 1230 am - Posted on August 20th, 2008
Tagged: News Media Highlight
• Commissioners
• Ben Konop
• Paul Sullivan
• United Way
• Troy Neff
• WCWA
Just finished listening to this interview and am wondering why pertinent follow up questions weren't asked by the gentleman doing the interview. Konop mentions other architects, a lower renovation cost, and business leaders he has spoken to but the interviewer fails to ask him to give specifics on any of those. Who are these other architects? What is the lower cost? Name the business leaders.
He also suggests that because the Metroparks are putting green space under a bridge that we don't need anymore downtown and that we density instead. Most urban planners are adamant about needing green space in urban settings. Check out the studies done by the University of Wisconsin, the work being done in Seattle and Toronto as well as Nanking for examples.
It's my understanding that the Commissioners have spent $950k on the current JFS building in the last six years. Is this Mr. Konop suggesting that building either be torn down or left empty? And again, why didn't the interviewer ask these questions?
People who live in a Glass City shouldn't throw stones.
I enjoyed just hearing Ben unedited. It is one thing to read a single quote from the Blade, but it is entirely different to hear his jaded view. We all know JRB's hand is up his ass on this issue, but at least I heard his slant on it.
to the interview since doing the interviewing. But I do believe I asked about these other architects and if they had toured the building. I also took shots at Sullivan's credibility. Whoever I interview, I do like to give that person a chance to respond fully. Ben comes on each week and this subject is not going to go away. I think I made it pretty clear where I stand. Thanks for listening and I'll keep trying.
I didn't realize the interviewer would actually be posting, that's excellent. You did not ask Mr. Konop who the architects were, or the business leaders, or how low the new estimate was. I did hear you laughing quite a bit as though this interview were some type of inside joke between you and Mr. Konop. What do you mean by shots? that you poked fun at him being a preservationist? You didn't mention his failed suit against the Greek Orthodox church downtown, you glossed over his fight against the ballpark and completely missed a chance to ask Mr. Konop why he feels it's any of his concern anyway since the building is held privately. How long have you been doing this? And by the way I listened here, I don't think I could listen to a full hour of this on your interview show.
People who live in a Glass City shouldn't throw stones.
Glasshouse, you may want to listen to Fred or Maggie interview Ben. That may be more to your taste. And yes, I'm on friendly terms with Ben even though we disagree on most political issues.
I'm not a big radio listener which is why I heard the interview here. Where do I find Fred and Maggie? I'm curious though, what exactly do you believe my tastes to be based on my postings? That's a quicker judgement than the one you gave Mr. Konop.
People who live in a Glass City shouldn't throw stones.
I didn't mean anything other than my style may not be to your liking. I try not to be overly confrontational. My goal is to ask the questions and let the guest respond. Sometimes their answers are totally BS, but I think your smart enough to figure that out. The reason we post the interviews is just for people like you. People who may not be talk listeners or morning people. I apologize if my response came off as being a smartass. (Ben won't go on with Fred or Maggie)
I heard the podcast and you did push Ben to respond and answer the questions.
Coming to the rescue of a building while 10% of Toledoans are out of work?
I keep wondering who it is controlling Ben Konop.
A previous poster summed it all up.
Looks like John Robinson Block is the puppet-master with his hand up little Ben's ass controlling little Bens mouth.
Ben is half correct. Downtown Toledo does need more green space, but not in the form of open fields and suburban style buildings. Downtown Toledo does need density, its' what makes a downtown a downtown.