[Winona Online Democracy] ".....develop a slogan..... communicates to the public in general what Winona is all about."
How about: Hardscrabble Rivertown ? Too negative? That's the impression I get when entering downtown along Riverview Drive or walking through my neighborhood retail shopping and office area at West Second and Harriet/Huff Streets. Anyway, I can't remember the guy's name, but a few years ago an accomplished architect/developer of downtown revitilization projects gave a talk at Saint Mary's. (I think he had close relatives living here that arranged the event.) He was of the opinion that our efforts would be futile unless we could get middle and upper income people to live downtown. This wasn't what the assembled movers, shakers, and assorted poo-bahs wanted to hear, because as everyone knows, that demographic would be crazy not to want to live in a new bluff-top, cul-du-sac development. He further claimed that without walk-in customers living close by, no amount of government subsidies or tax breaks would help much in getting a merchant to forgo the no-brainer decision to locate in a suburban strip mall. Self-interest disclosure: if his ideas were implemented here in Winona, I would benefit since I live at the edge of downtown. Unless, that is, gentrified property tax increases force me out. John N. Finn _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
