The following is a comment from Transplant in response to a warped thread following Molly A’s post on the waterfront. BRO would like to hear some of your thoughts regarding the points that Transplant brings up. Is it as easy as it sounds? Is Transplant on the right path? Be forewarned, any vulgar language will be stricken from the record.
If the city is serious about fixing up the waterfront….here it is…. First let’s be realistic, the 190 isn’t going anywhere. But it doesn’t have to be the eyesore that it is. Trees in the middle and on either side would really do wonders, especially in the summer. Unfortunately, your city has made some woeful decisions. They’re not going to go away, but they can be made better.
Second: Build a 6-8,000 capacity ampitheatre. The concert industry is tanking on shows in Darien Lake size venues. The 6-8,000 outdoor venues are the ones that are going to do well. Let the city own it, but not run it. There is a HUGE difference there.
Third: Parks, Parks, Parks. Bike Paths, Marina’s, Harbors, Docks. Cheap, and effective
Four: Build a Main Street USA style shopping mall. Just sell the land, and let a developer do it. Cleveland, Columbus, and several other cold weather cities have done this. Why is it if I want to go buy a shirt at the GAP I need to drive for twenty minutes to a suburb?
Five: Let this Saravino character, who seems to be the only person with any sense around these parts, develop condo’s, lofts, and apartments on the water. But here is the thing. They have to be expensive. If the city is going to get better, people with money need to be in there, no income limits, no section 8, no subsidies. Make the cheapest rent $900 a month so that the people living there can also afford to spend their cash at the retail area there.
Six: Build a state of the art, world class museum down there. Perhaps an aqarium, seeing as how you know it’s on the water. Something that will bring everyone from the city and the suburbs into the downtown/waterfront.
As the waterfront goes, so goes Grant Street. If the waterfront gets redeveloped, from Main Street west will be a very desirable place to be in this city. In most cities, the closer to the water, the more expensive you get….not here, but that’s how it has to be if anything is going to work. Saravino isn’t dumb, if he can get this done, he knows there is a *$#%load of land and houses that can be turned around into higher income housing.
So there’s a plan for you… when is this city going to wake up and demand someone with no local ties run this place?