It’s been a long time…thanks for the inspiration, Gabe and a certain public figure
Let me first apologize to the site’s reader’s who have missed us, or at least our posts. I was even asked by a certain public figure last night when some new material was coming. Second, thanks to him and my colleague Mr. Martinez for the inspiration to hit the keyboard.
The topic of this post is Downtown redevelopment. Part of my inspiration is from the most-recent post by Gabe, which I highly recommend everybody read. The point I draw from that post is that somebody has to have the balls to make Downtown livable. Wal-Mart can do this by setting up shop there as log as they conform to aesthetics. Or a restaurant chain (yes, a chain) could set up shop down there and start attracting people Downtown. How about a Cheesecake Factory or a Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Downtown? You don’t think people will go? I believe they will. In this case, the chain has to be one that does not exist anywhere else in the region, to meet a demand that is not currently met in the area. In a way, the City has proven itself inEPt (rim shot, “hey-o!”) at planning, considering how the Downtown Plan came across as such as back room deal; as I’ve said before: a good plan, a horrible process.
There are a few things going on Downtown: Chama Lounge & Gallery, The Plaza Theatre, The Convention Center, Union Plaza, and Cafe Central. Sidebar: I know Chama was funded improperly, but I enjoy it there because their happy hour is great and they serve Pyramid Hefe Weizen, so in their case I will forgive and forget. Build on what is already there.
To make a long story short: somebody with cash needs to have some balls and throw some money Downtown and let the market work. Perhaps even an Applebee’s or Chili’s would do well, at least during lunch hour; many people who work Downtown tend to hit up the Kern Place area for their lunch hour. Downtown needs a catalyst, and whoever steps up to the plate will be known as the savior of Downtown.
-djquinones
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3 Comments, Comment or Ping
bionicle
I totally agree with you. The Kern Place area is filled up during lunch time, and many people seem to be from the downtown area. There is a lot of opportunities for restaurants. I travel on I-10 every day and can’t help but notice how restaurants keep popping and building up in the yarbrough area like crazy. Seriously, it seems as if though theres a Disneyland or something in the works for all these restaurants to produce. But it took one restaurant to take a chance for the rest to follow. If that idea gets implemented for downtown, the downtown area can be booming up with restaurant business in no time.
Jun 13th, 2007
gfj
I would rather see a chico’s tacos downtown than a chili’s or some other bullshit chain.
We need local business development not more cookie cutter crap.
Jun 15th, 2007
915hive
I am happy to see that a vibrant downtown is still on everyones minds. I think we all can agree that there are tons of great restaurants & pubs in the area. The bottom line is that you need 1% of the areas population to live downtown in order for it to be successful. So, the question is.. What stops you from living downtown?
Jul 9th, 2007
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