Tiny Village Undergoes Controversial Makeover
Residents Hope to Put Division Behind
Melissa J. Hipolit NCC News Syracuse Reporting
April 23, 2008


(Aurora, NY) It’s spring in Aurora, New York and things are downright pleasant. But, it wasn’t always this way. Seven years ago the village looked a lot different. “Aurora really was in a downhill slide, in a state of disrepair, and things were starting to look pretty shabby,” said Mayor Tom Gunderson.


Pleasant Rowland
That was until 2001 when Pleasant Rowland arrived. Rowland is a 1962 graduate of Wells College, who went on to create the American Girl dolls. The millionaire philanthropist gave the historic village a controversial $40-million makeover. “My reaction was thank goodness, right from the beginning,” said village resident George Peter. Rowland fixed up old buildings along Main Street, like the Leffingwell House, vacant for over 60 years. She planted Chinese Elms, buried power lines and restored the historic Aurora Inn.

Positive Impact on Village
The Mayor said this brought wealth to the village. “These properties are now worth more money, and therefore pay a bigger tax bill...so that’s been a help,” said Mayor Gunderson. He also said Rowland’s work inspired other people to restore properties in the village.

Division
Not everybody liked the changes Rowland made along Main Street. “The whole thing really divided Aurora,” said village resident John Miller. Miller grew up in Aurora, moved away and came back to raise his children. “There was not a sincere attempt by the people that were here on the ground to integrate themselves with all the people,” said Miller. Village Trustee LiLi MacCormick opposed some of Rowland’s changes. The bumper stickers still on her pickup reflect her resentment. “If she had only talked with people—it wouldn’t have been so difficult,” said MacCormick.


Fargo
The former owner of the local watering hole, the Fargo, found Rowland’s work particularly hard to swallow. Rowland bought the bar from Jim Orman and gentrified it. “I was left without a business I had not anticipated selling…and that left a bad taste, I think, in a lot of people’s minds,” said Orman. He would like to see the local businesses that Rowland bought and handed over to the college, go back into the hands of locals. “The fabric of a community is local, private business owners. You have those different personalities and that’s what makes up a community,” said Orman.

Aurora Today
Rowland is now long gone, having moved on to other projects. The house she bought for herself in Aurora is on the market. But, the changes she brought to Aurora, both cosmetic and personal, remain. “You feel more proud of the community today when you drive through, cuz things look like they should…but, its come at a price, like everything does,” said Mayor Gunderson. “There seems to be some divide…I don’t see people as much as I used to,” said Orman. “I just hope we can talk in positive ways that will improve things, instead of just digging away at the same old sores,” said MacCormick.
The Mayor said people are trying to move on with life. After all, there are bigger fish to fry, like the failing economy. And so, as the sun sets on Aurora, rest assured, another pleasant day is ahead.