Planning for growth
October 11, 2011 at 1:49 am in The Jamestown Sun
The Jamestown Planning Commission heard from Ken Schulz, city councilman, concerning future planning for Jamestown growth during its regular meeting Monday.
Continue Reading
Planning for growth
11 Comments
“There needs to be a master plan for the growth of the city,” Schulz said. “I know people say the city hasn’t grown in 30 years but my concern is that as we grow we have to have that growth be organized.”
—————————–
The population of Jamestown has only grown by 264 people since the 1960 census! I don’t think Jamestown really has to worry about organized growth. They need to worry about maintaining what they have.
Like or Dislike:
10 
6
I agree with Bill, Jamestown doesn’t need to worry about growth, but even maintaining what they have will be nearly impossible. Here are the stats:
Median age: Jamestown 39, Fargo 30
Females over 18 compared to males:
Jamestown: for every 100 females, 88.4 males
Fargo: for every 100 females, 99.3 males
Average family income:
Jamestown $42,245. Fargo $50,486.
The median age and female/male ratio’s are the most telling. Jamestown has a much older population that is beyond the child bearing years.
The female/male ratio tells us that you have a large number of older widow ladies who probably won’t be around at the next census and the only contributions they are making to Jamestown now are the dollars they spend.
For a community to grow, you need young families who will stay and have children.
The way it is now, the few young people left are gone when they turn 18, and your elder population continues to die off. Plus, being able to earn significantly more money in Fargo will be a huge draw.
No need to plan for growth, there won’t be any.
(stats courtesy of Wikipedia).
Like or Dislike:
7 
10
Fred, money isn’t everything. I would rather live in Jamestown and travel to fargo every once in a while when I need something I can’t get in Jamestown. Cost of living in fargo is just a little higher than in Jamestown as well, making up for the difference in earnings. Hey fred since you don’t live in Jamestown anymore and obiously don’t plan on moving back, why don’t you just let what happens in jamestown alone.
Like or Dislike:
11 
5
yeah, the Fargo area has a lot to offer. 3 armed robberies last week, a double murder trial starting this week. (Things we don’t get in Jamestown.) There was a murder near Jamestown this past spring, the first one in about 15 years (the victim and the alleged person who did it were recent transplants to the area). And I would imagine wages are higher in Fargo. They have to be, since rent and house prices are so much more there.
Like or Dislike:
8 
5
Jamestown has it’s share of crime. I still remember the home invasion case from a few weeks ago. You have to realize that the Fargo area has 10 times the population.
Jamestown has murders too, they just don’t get solved. Case in point is the Joe Anderson murder.
Like or Dislike:
3 
4
The argument that the cost of living in Jamestown, or any of the bigger towns in ND, is low is a complete fallacy. The people that claim that obviously haven’t lived in other areas of the country.
Like or Dislike:
2 
2
It actually costs less to live in Fargo because people in Jamestown drive to Fargo to do most of their shopping anyway.
The only thing that is slightly higher in Fargo is housing, but you get that money back when you sell your house because of a much better resale value in Fargo.
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
I’ve lived in big cities, Mpls, Seattle, Detroit. all much more expensive. you may want to actually compare housing prices with Fargo, if you think Jamestown is the same price range.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
not sure a murder from 20 yrs ago does much to prove your point. I’m sure the Fargo police and other bigger cities are better at solving murders, since they get to do it more often. I’d rather be in a place like Jamestown, where murders happen once every 15 or 20 yrs.
Like or Dislike:
4 
3
Jamestown has more than one murder every 15 or 20 years. Even I know that isn’t true.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you are wrong. that was in the news stories for the murder near Spiritwood last spring.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0