"Discovering the Utopian Dream in Ave Maria"
Origins and Vision
The city was willed into existence by Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza. After selling his stake in the chain for $1 billion, Monaghan, a devout Catholic and collector of Frank Lloyd Wright memorabilia, set out to design an idyllic Catholic town free of “premarital sex, contraceptives and pornography.” The university reopened in Florida in 2007 and has become the major employer in the area.Collier County signed off on a thousand-acre expansion last year, showing the continued interest in this unique community. It may seem like a nightmare to some, a prison of patriarchy and conformity, but to others, it is a safe space for family and communion.
What do you do when you disagree with the broader community? As the economist Albert O. Hirschman argued, you have two options. One is to stick around and exercise “voice,” making your case for why things should be different. Ave Maria has seen efforts in this direction, such as the university faculty member's stance and the ACLU's potential litigation.
Historical Precedents
American history is filled with examples of voluntary attempts to build utopian communities. The Puritans decamped to the Massachusetts Bay, kicking off a series of exits that led to the founding of Hartford and Providence. In colonial America, Philadelphia Quakers aimed to create an Enlightenment-inspired garden city, and in Baltimore, founders envisioned Protestants and Catholics living together in harmony.Mormons also turned religious city building into a high art. They founded cities like Kirtland and Independence, with various visions and experiments. In Utah, they built Zion with plans sketched out by Joseph Smith, imagining an endless grid of giant blocks and wide streets.
Back in Florida, Ave Maria follows in this tradition. It may not be the City of God, but it has its own unique urban design. A massive church anchors the city, towering over a traditional town center with apartments over shops. Street names invoke Pope John Paul II and various saints, and random statues of the Virgin Mary dot the city.
Modern Utopian Experiments
In California, utopian experimentation was once at its peak. From Robert Owen's communal industrialization in New Harmony to John Humphrey Noyes' free love colony in Oneida, and the Georgists' communities demonstrating the wisdom of a land value tax, California was a hotbed of ideas.Today, California Forever is an ambitious plan to build a walkable, mixed-use city on 50,000 acres of ranchland at the edges of the Bay Area. But with restrictive regulations, such projects are becoming increasingly rare.
In Florida, new urbanism emerged in the Florida Panhandle. Seaside, a master-planned beach town, served as the proof of concept and led to the refinement of similar communities like Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach. The Villages in Central Florida is another example, a retirement community with its own unique infrastructure and rules.
Challenges and Future
Building a new city is expensive, and attracting jobs is crucial. Ave Maria has a large and growing job center in the form of Ave Maria University, but it still faces challenges. The housing market collapse in 2007 deflated some of the grander urban designs, and the arrival of a Baptist church at the edge of town shows the changing landscape.However, Ave Maria retains its independence in at least one respect. It still lacks a Domino’s Pizza, adding to its unique identity.
Whether you like it or not, Ave Maria is a part of the American experiment in utopian living. It shows that even in a pluralistic society, the idea of building a better place persists.
The Symbolism vs. Substance Dilemma
The bells of Notre Dame are chiming again, a sign of its return. But the presence of scaffolding on the nearly 900-year-old monument raises questions about the grand post-blaze reopening. French President Emmanuel Macron will inspect the rebuilding work on Friday during his final tour of the construction site. He will get to see the renovated interiors with his own eyes, but he can't ignore the construction work and cranes that clutter the exterior.The 2019 blaze that destroyed the spire and roof was a tragic event. Macron pledged to rebuild the cathedral to be even more beautiful and complete it within five years. But the reality has been more complex. While the interior will be ready to host visitors on December 8 for the first time since 2019, the scaffolding at the base of the newly-restored spire will remain into 2025, and for another three years on the east side.Unfinished exterior puzzles some Parisians. The blaze and rebuilding left a literal hole in the heart of Paris, and many locals are longing for its reopening. Some expected the monument to look pristine on the outside like it does on the inside. Around 140 million euros of unspent funds remain in the reconstruction budget, indicating the scale of work still to be completed. Cranes and makeshift worker facilities still feature, and while a lot of scaffolding has been removed, tons of it still remain. Anne Leclerc, a 54-year-old lawyer, said, "It’s an eyesore. It feels like a half-finished project."Jean-Baptiste Lefèvre, a retired 65-year-old teacher, recalled Macron's five-year completion wish and questioned whether the reopening is being rushed prematurely to please him. Macron's second and last term ends in 2027. He said, "What’s the point of such a big reopening when it’s not even finished? It looks like a construction zone."The Long History of Construction
In truth, Notre Dame has been a building site for years even before the fire. In 2019, scaffolding was already in place for a previous restoration effort that was interrupted by the blaze. The melted and twisted metal structure had to be cut away before rebuilding could begin.The worst damage was to the medieval monument's roof and its dense latticework of wooden beams, which was so complicated that it was nicknamed "the forest." The flames also brought down the spire, sending charred debris into the cathedral's interior.Architecture experts praise the pace of restoration, considering the constraints of 21st-century safety regulations and the need for historical accuracy. Historians also urge patience, reminding critics that Notre Dame's original construction spanned nearly 200 years, beginning in 1163. Rev. Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, the cathedral rector, said, "Notre Dame’s reconstruction is a sign of hope for everyone."The Impact of the COVID Pandemic
Initial hopes for a full restoration by 2024 were dimmed after the COVID-19 pandemic slowed work. The late General Jean-Louis Georgelin, the former reconstruction chief, tempered expectations in 2023, saying the reopening would be "partial."Macron's office frames the restoration as a triumph for French can-do, comparing it to other national milestones like the Paris Olympics. His tour of the monument on Friday will be his seventh since the fire.Presidential officials say he will see gleaming white finishes of restored stonework, vaults rebuilt with precision to their original 13th-century design, and the once-again radiant golden cross at the altar. Murals, including those in the Saint-Marcel Chapel, are as vibrantly colorful again as when first painted, and sculptures of Louis XIII and XIV glisten with refreshed colors.The Grand Reopening
After a December 7 ceremony where Macron will give a speech on the cathedral forecourt, an inaugural mass the next day will signal its return to public life. The public will be welcomed until 10 p.m. during the first week with free, ticketed entry. Liturgical life will then resume in full from December 16.The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, expects Notre Dame will quickly surpass its pre-blaze visitor numbers. He is confident that for most, the work that's unfinished won't be a major disappointment.Key Features and Benefits of the New Water Tower
Impressive Dimensions
The new water tower will stand at an astonishing height of around 150 feet, providing a significant boost in water storage capacity. This towering structure will not only enhance the visual appeal of the city but also ensure a reliable water supply for years to come.The construction process began with the pouring of concrete on Saturday. The crew worked tirelessly for 19.5 hours to form the base, laying the groundwork for the entire project. This meticulous work is crucial in ensuring the stability and durability of the water tower.
Upgraded Infrastructure
The project includes an upgrade for the well and well house, along with a new pump and valves. These enhancements will ensure excellent water pressure for the homes on the city's east side hill. The city has oversized the water pump to account for future growth over the next 50 years, demonstrating its forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development.Towry explained that by installing valves where the hill connects down to the basin, they can maintain consistent pressure on the hill while preventing excessive pressure in the basin. Additionally, a new pump has been installed to address any potential issues with wells in the newly created pressure zone. In case of emergencies, water can be pumped up into the pressure zone from the basin, ensuring continuous water service for the residents.
Meeting Growing Demands
The northeast neighborhoods in Ephrata have been facing water pressure issues, with residents often unable to take showers while their neighbors are watering their lawns and doing dishes. The new water tower is expected to alleviate these problems by providing extra pressure for the residents.Towry emphasized that this project is a sign of the city's growth. With a significant amount of residential growth in the northeast neighborhood, the new water tower is essential in keeping up with the increasing demand for water. It represents a crucial investment in the city's future and the well-being of its residents.
Project Timeline and Challenges
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026. However, there are some challenges along the way, particularly with the electrical aspects due to supply issues from the COVID-19 pandemic.Towry stated that it has been 34 years since the city added significant infrastructure, and this project is a major step forward. Despite the challenges, the city is confident in the team responsible for the construction and is optimistic about the successful completion of the project.
After pouring the concrete, the contractor will begin assembling the rings and building the tower upwards. The curing process of the concrete will take around one to two weeks, during which the city will continue to monitor the progress and address any issues that may arise.
Ephrata is excited about the completion of this project and the benefits it will bring to the residents. As the city continues to grow, investments like the new water tower are essential in maintaining a high quality of life. The support of the taxpayers is greatly appreciated, and the city looks forward to serving its residents with a reliable water supply.