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About Us
Bring Back The Vision members are Columbia and Howard County residents with a strong
desire to see Columbia’s downtown become a vital urban center full of public activity.
Member Profiles
Emily Lincoln
I "grew up" in age in a small city in the center of the country. A fine enough place,
its strongly conservative ideals never appealed to me though I had no real substitute
until I found Columbia in 1969 and began to really grow up. Helping in my small
way to complete this city with a downtown that offers connectivity, cultural opportunities,
diversity ethnically and financially and a density that makes possible all that
and much more that is positive, means to me that I am able to return a tiny part
of all Columbia has given to me.
Michael Davis
 A resident of Columbia since
1982, Mike Davis has lived in or about the center of downtown Columbia for most
of that time. Additionally, since 1987, Mike has had his office in downtown Columbia.
Frustrating for him, since 1987, downtown Columbia has evolved very little; indeed,
if anything, Columbia has become less diversified, less pedestrian friendly, and
far less cutting edge in solving the many problems that affect all growing communities.
Back in 1981, when Mike was looking for a place to call his home, Harbor Place in
Baltimore had just opened, along with the National Aquarium, to national acclaim.
At that same time, James Rouse had his picture on Time Magazine because of his vision
to revitalize Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and build Columbia. These events could not
help but catch Mike’s attention, and he was immediately attracted to the vibrancy
and possibilities that Columbia offered for both him and his family.
Mike hopes that Bring Back the Vision, along with many other groups that have formed
to advocate for change in downtown Columbia, can add a constructive perspective
that will help insure that the future of Columbia will be that of the New City that
James Rouse envisioned so long ago.
Joanne Davis
Bring Back the Vision gives me an opportunity to add my one voice to the voices
of so many others who want to see growth, excitement and vitality once again in
Columbia. Years ago I experienced the joy and inspiration of living here when the
ideas and ideals were new and visionary. For a long time, Columbia was pretty good,
but pretty ordinary. Now, this year, this time, there is an opportunity for our
community to move forward in new and exciting ways. General Growth Properties has
made it clear that they are ready to work with the Howard County Government and
the Columbia Association and the citizens to move this community forward in new,
dynamic, and visionary ways. What an opportunity! I want to be a strong voice in
support of these efforts.
Anne Barker
In 1972 I moved to Columbia from a suburban environment because of the new community’s
promise to become a new city. Over the years I have participated in efforts, such
as the Downtown Group and The Columbia Forum, to develop a vibrant downtown for
Columbia. These efforts did not bear any significant results. General Growth Properties
along with Howard County government is revisiting James Rouse’s vision of a downtown
with exciting and thoughtful plans. I want to seize this new opportunity and do
what I can to support their efforts.
George Barker
I moved to Howard County and Columbia in 1972 to be a part of the building of a
new city, as envisioned by Jim Rouse. The prospects of participating in this process
were very exciting to me. However, twenty-six years have passed and there is no
city, only a bunch of unrelated and isolated buildings and open space in what is
called Columbia’s downtown. But a unique opportunity now presents itself. General
Growth Properties is now prepared to lead the charge to make the new city that I
moved here for a reality. I want to support that GGP’s efforts and I think that
Bring Back the Vision provides me with an excellent vehicle to do so.
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