[Jon Dalton]

The decline started in the 50's when every steelworker could afford a house on the mountain and all of a sudden we had a 'traffic' problem. The strength of industry that fuelled the suburban exodus also helped maintain relative prosperity into the 70's. When it collapsed it left a sprawled out mess but no wealth, hence the continuation of decline through the 80's and 90's. I still can't figure out if we've hit rock bottom yet.