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City plan commission debates sign issues

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SomethingFishy
Wednesday, January 26, 2011: 10:58 am
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It doesn't surprise me that Grady is the sole opposing vote... Also if there is a downtown redevelopment plan then make it an ordinance otherwise there is nothing stopping them from putting up their signs.

Danny Stewart
Wednesday, January 26, 2011: 11:30 am
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Folks, there are times in ones life when they are glad to admit they were wrong about something and I have recently had one of those moments.

I am happy to admit that furthur study has shown that I was wrong on the family relation between the Deckards and Bowlen. Normally I'm much more thorough in my research. I happily and humbly apologize to anyone, including both the Deckards and the Bowlens if I in anyway caused any undo stress as that was not my intention.

KennyD
Wednesday, January 26, 2011: 6:56 pm
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I am going to try and read this proposal for downtown. I can't see "The square" going back to it's thriving days. There was once a barber shop, movie theater, clothing stores, etc.

Many of the buildings are in major need of an overhaul. There needs to be remodeling, more electrical outlets, heating/cooling applications, plumbing, and a lot of TLC before they start to shine. Plus it all has to coincide with the historical preservation.

Perhaps business has moved away from there because of these problems. There are square footage issues, parking issues, and the like. There are still signs hanging up from business' that closed up 15 years ago. I still see a lot of junk in the windows; so it's not very appealing for a business to open up shop there.

America has moved away from a retail store economy to a service based economy. Now, with that in mind what kind of business would that most appeal to. We can top all of that with the amount of money that needs to be invested to facilitate this... then the owners must charge more on the lease/rent to recoup their investments.

That is my opinion in a nutshell. It can become applicable to certain things, what exactly I am not sure.

Auntie
Thursday, January 27, 2011: 8:37 am
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Kenny I agree. I also see several empty buildings with junk in the windows, old signs of businesses that are no longer there. Some of the buildings need spruced up and the inside cleared out. I don't see why the new businesses can't have the type of sign they want. Why not worry about cleaning up the empty buildings which could bring in new business.

Ed
Thursday, January 27, 2011: 9:18 am
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Kenny, You are right about the upkeep/restoration that needs to be done to improve the city square/"downtown".

Let me make myself perfectly clear � I love our quaint, bygone time, old town center. Being a local business owner I believe in supporting our local businesses and I patronize the shops �on the square� anytime I can.

However, there is a proven factor as to why "businesses moved away from there" and why the deterioration began. When the main thoroughfare (Indiana 37) was moved from the center of town to what at that time was considered "the outskirt of town� the traffic flow was pulled away from that area. The business traffic fell off and businesses began to migrate in the direction of �new� 37 as well. It can be seen as plain as day, today, along State Road 37. This has happened to large cities and small towns all across America. The lack of business and deterioration of our "downtown" will only be further enhanced by the construction of a LIMITED ACCESS interstate highway.

What boggles my mind are the endorsements in favor of this interstate by people who truly believe that an interstate will bring more traffic and revival to our floundering downtown. The problem will only be compounded and will not only affect downtown but will further limit access to other outlying businesses. The people who endorse the limited access highway are many of the same people who have poured their heart and souls into saving/reviving the old town square. It makes me very sad to watch their struggle and know that IF the interstate is built, they are lending their effort to a battle that they, more than likely, cannot win. If we haven�t found a way to market and attract new business and visitors to our city now as it stands, while we have 6 access points from our East thoroughfare�. God help us when people won�t be able to see us for the noise barrier walls and the blur through their windshields as they race past us at 70 plus miles per hour with one (two at BEST) access points/interchanges.

Have you ever traveled US 40/old route 66? Have you ever visited Charlotte, NC and meandered through �old town� or the �historical Dilworth District�? Take a drive to the old town center of Washington, IN. Sadly, this is what is referred to as bygone.

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