The most recent poll question in the SJNP was: "Do you support a TIF for a Downtown entertainment district?"
"Downtown Entertainment District"? Judging by what is already situated in downtown and from what I have heard the City would like to see there, there is very little entertainment per se in the area. When you combine words like 'bar' and 'entertainment', I really don't see 'arts' in that equation. Ideas like 'theatre', 'class','family', or 'tourism' are also missing.
When I first moved to Missouri, I was so excited to read all the signs pointing to "(any city's name here) historic downtown". I always had a preconceived notion that I would be able to drive to these downtowns and be greeted with quaint older buildings in good repair. I would hope for a shopping "avenue", restaurants and other shoppes conducive to enticing travelers to stop for a visit and spend some much needed money (similar to Weston). So many times this is not the case. St. Joseph is no exception. The original concept of a downtown was centered around department stores and the idea of the location being a "one-stop-shop" for shoppers. While it is nearly impossible to get department stores back into downtown, it certainly is a viable option to make it a one-stop-shop place for residents and tourists alike.
Before we move forward with the TIF plan, our city needs to identify what their goals are for the downtown area. If it is meant to be purely a "bar" environment, then they should move forward with the "Downtown Entertainment District" theme and market their availability to topless bars, lounges, and foster the adult-only atmosphere. If they want to expand and broaden their consumer base, they may want to reconsider the naming and solicit businesses such as:
* Pharmacy (CVS?)
* Boutique shoppes (candy store, soda fountain, women's clothiers, novelty/specialty stores)
* Restaurants (coffee shop, deli, UPSCALE restaurant)
* Arcade
* Movie Theatre (haven't been in the existing one, but it needs a facelift)
* BETTER PARKING
* Art gallery
* Comedy club?
* Florist
I think everyone would agree that if we had a thriving downtown, both our citizens and businesses may feel better about attracting tourism, growing the residential base near the downtown region, and evoke an overall city pride.
i have to jump for joy since this is nearly the exact list i asked for in the comments section in the N/P . i would love to address the parking with you since i organized a group of govt/private downtown gurus on parking. they need another nice reminder. we have a walking problem downtown, not a parking problem, though i would welcome a vibrant downtown which cold create one! there is a great coffee shop, with health food store. i look at the felix area as being "bar row" then maybe a "health avenue" above the park.... already have the gym, the FoN , get a vegetarian restaurant. in that theme, a candle, fine paper/stationary/party store, maybe a specialty deli/grocer like the silver palate in ny.
ReplyDeletethere is nothing this downtown can't accomplish.
Perhaps some of what you are looking for is already being discussed. Take an in-depth look at this: ftp://www.stjoemo.info/DOWNTOWNBOOKLET.pdf
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