I have never been a big supporter of
downtown development and have said so on many occasions. That position is based
on seeing the failed hopes and dreams of many small retailers who hope to
prosper only to realize that retail and tourism have high failure rates. Winona, long before the big box
was around, is and remains a tough retail market to succeed in and more
important to make enough to pay employees and one self for the long hours and
energy required to pay their bills. I hope that as the plan unfolds that
the dreamers will also look at the revenue these merchants will need to survive
and better yet prosper. While dreams at this stage are cheap particularly
for those who sole income “is not” dependent on the success of their
business and possible loss of their entire life savings to get started. I
hope I am wrong but until there is a significant economic draw like the casino did
for Dubuque’s survival we are spinning our wheels. Can Shakespeare
survive without grants and gifts? The downtown businesses needed to
create the economic growth will not have that luxury. Will the planners run the
hard numbers to show the economic reality of what it will take or will the
taxpayers be assessed for the underestimated financial costs as public infrastructure
is build to support a plan that fails to yield adequate results.
When I read in the paper that there is a
one year payback on ethanol plants I can only think that that may be a far
better investment than retail and tourism could every hope to achieve and one
that might even fuel the economic engine further and faster.
Paul Double
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Jim Galewski
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 1:13
PM
To: Phil Carlson; Winona Online
Democracy
Subject: Re: [Winona] RE: Planning
Phil/all
I haven't been paying close attention, but I think the issue isn't about
studies and a comprehensive plan. I agree with you that the city has had some
fine planning and studies done. The current comp plan has a lot of input
- and that's good.
The fly in the ointment is that the city has a track record of shelving studies
and voting regardless what the plan advises.
I recall a parking study that had just been put up on the shelf when a bank in
town wanted to buy the city's central downtown parking lot. They swapped
land for parking a block away and justified selling the property without the
required hearings - calling the land at 4th and Center "marginal
property."
I don't think the parking study was looked at as the city moved forward and got
the land sold.
It's not about having a good plan.... It's about having a plan and following
it. The city tends to get the "plan" part right- It just has terrible
follow through.
Jim Galewski
From: "Phil Carlson"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:13:51
-0500
To: "Winona Online
Democracy" <[email protected]>
Subject: [Winona] RE: Planning
[Winona Online Democracy]
There have been several posts recently bemoaning the lack of planning in
Winona and I'm not sure if folks are aware that there is a major planning
effort underway as we speak - a comprehensive plan for the city, including
growth areas; a downtown revitalization plan; and a riverfront revitalization
plan. The city has hired a talented and experienced consultant team, URS
from Minneapolis, to head up this effort in conjunction with city staff.
The project started a couple months ago. Those of you who follow my posts
know I am in the planning consultant business myself and our firm (DSU) put in
a proposal on the project, were short-listed, but were not selected. In
fact, 17 firms responded - a whopping number in my experience, evidence of the
interest in Winona's planning efforts - and 4 firms were short-listed to submit
more detailed proposals.
There
is a 13-member steering committee, advisory to the City Council, and several
sub-committees dealing with various issues. All these meetings are open to the
public, some will be designed specifically to gather public input. The
entire planning effort will take most of this year. Joe Barbeau,
Assistant City Planner, is coordinating the effort on the city's side.
Details, including agendas and minutes, are easy to find on the city's
website - click the Comprehensive Plan Update box.
As a
planner with almost 30 years in the field I can say that the
city is in good hands with the URS team. Understand that this is like the
manager at Chevrolet praising Ford, but I have known Dave Showalter and Julie
Farnham, and their work, for many years. They are experienced, smart, personable,
and have been through this kind of effort with dozens of communities over the
years. This is not to say it will be easy. Formulating common goals
and making decisions about the future can be excruciating, but what's the
alternative? I would urge all those who are interested in the future of
Winona to find out about this effort, attend the meetings, follow its progress,
and make your views known in constructive fashion along the way.
Phil
Carlson, Mpls
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