Has anyone looked downtown lately? What percentage of the downtown businesses are closed, buildings empty or full of junk? I would venture a guess of 50%.
It seems as though the cit is focusing more on the north end of town than on downtown. Then they decide to make changes to the alcohol ordinence that would lower the amout required for alcohol sales downtown. This is my unerstanding of it anyway just from what I've read in the paper.
This is a step in the right direction. Downtown is barely staying afloat. But still a problem remains. Usually those buildings are in horrible states of disrepair, if the building can be rented then for some reason the owner thinks its worth five times more than it is, if it's for sale then good luck getting a bank to loan you the money to buy it because of it's condition.
The City wants people to bite the bullet and put an eatery or bar downtown but what incentive is there? The City is willing to give Wal-Mart a break but not the little man? Hello Wal-Mart...goodbye small business.
The only thing that this town has going for it is the College. Give the College kids something to do and your business will thrive. But it needs to be within walking distance from the College. Your best bet here is a drinking establishment of some sort. But we all know that even though they will walk from the college and back the ACPD will give hem grief because that's what they do.
I suggest that the naysayers look around. The alcohol industry is legal and thriving. If you want this town to somewhat survive sometimes changes must be made. Look at Old Town in Wichita or Bricktown in OKC. Thriving.
I am not sure I can fully agree with all the "Gloom and Doom?"
Except to say the city has regulations about building conditions which it appears are not being enforced as they should be.
The rest is the economy throughout the entire United States and even the world right now. In the USA many cities and some very large are filing bankruptcy on their obligations. Tax supported cities going down all over this Nation! That is an indicater the government cannot hide from the publics eye. Elsewhere in the world countries are also going down and even there have failed.
Arkansas City elected officials are not to blame for it all. But I agree could do more for downtown development and appearance of closed buildings all over the city including rental units.
Government says we are in a deep recession and not depression?
Maybe we need to start asking the "Right Questions?"
Like: Who pushes that button that orders gas up world wide? Who is that entity? They sure do it and no one knows who is making the choice?
Like: Who is buying thousands of lost homes around the nation, and is a foreign Country? And, why are they doing it?
or ask why even States are going down financially? Every state taxes smokers and these funds amount to billions for the states each year, and yet some states are banning smoking when it is those taxes that kept them afloat? Does that make logic?
Many in cities all around blame WalMart for their declines? Maybe this is true in some degree, but I ask why aid the giant with tax money in the first place? Walmart is a world wide giant and does what it pleases by the choice of it's Board of Directors, and it is time no tax money is used to assist the parent company. Walmart will build where they want tax incentives or not! That simple.
Walk many sidewalks in Arkansas City and watch out for branches hitting your eyes! Yet, regulations state they must be kept and cut by owners of the adjoinging property? When I bought the extra lots next to me the first thing that happened was the City replacing the sidewalks (not by my choice) but I sure was assessed and paid the bill for them. Yet, disaray and dangerous sidewalks are all around Arkansas City, and the city remains liable if someone falls and is injured. How many jobs could be created to redo them where needed?
You come up with great opinions and I support your right to vent and share what you believe. In that degree you always have my support in airing your views.
I do not have the answers for the economy: But, to suggest no one in office at this time should remain in office in new elections for they have track records indicating they also have not the answers for the economy.
Change is not always easy! The American way of life, family and fortune has changed and I doubt it will ever be close to what it was ever again.
My sole opinions: Annlee
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Annlee Cakes 408 East 5th Avenue Arkansas City, Kansas Next door to the Fire department Native American Jewelry and Crafts Wedding Cakes our Specialty......by appointment Phone: 620-441-8656
