I would typify this as under construction. Hopefully by May 2 we will have what we hope will be the final shape.

We want to stress that the order of these projects isn't set in stone. The list is an estimate, and after annual inventory of streets, priorities will change.

A lot of people believe that when they pay that 2 percent to Columbus, we're getting some of it, but that's not the case. The 0.3-percent does stay here. Any additional income created by an income-tax increase will be a redistribution of what's already being paid. A resident wouldn't owe any more money to Columbus.

It's interesting that while we have one of the lowest income-tax rates in the area, the effective rate for those living and working here is one of the highest, and we need to change that.

HOPE VI isn't here just to build houses. It's here to build lives. The hope is, if construction is for them, they can figure out their specialty. By helping them to start deciding on careers, we can help them down the path of homeownership. That can lead to the building of equity and wealth in their lives.

We came from hoping to win to expecting to win, and hopefully, down the road, we know we're going to win. Expecting to win is not bad, but to know you're going to win is the place to be.