Whenever the people of Suffolk talk seriously about restoring or retivalizing our downtown area, a section of Suffolk that has seen more genteel times, they mention restaurants, stores, theatres, bowling alley, quality merchandise, and safe pedestrian traffic on the streets after dark. Lack of the latter is probably why we don't have more of the former. There are more reasons not to go downtown than reasons to open your wallet there, especially at night, although there is new effort to clean up the dark.
Jump in your car and drive the perimeter of what Andy Damiani calls Washington Square. The financially unfortunate citizens who occupy nearby substandard dwellings are themselves fearful of what might even befall them. The disintegration of those living quarters are the result of time and negligence by the more-often-than-not financially successful owners. The City drags its feet enforcing codes, shutting its eyes to the gradual decline; the beautiful churches and new courthouse in the Square can't offset the intimidating landlord alleys. It's too late to give existing retail stores a facelift.
No need to discuss parking; we all agree Downtown won't come alive without enough slots handy to whatever could attract more customers. One hope was that Main Street restaurants would benefit from the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts - show-goers would walk gaily up to Main for a late repast or cocktail. Try it in broad daylight: if you are old enough to afford tickets, you are probably too old to climb that hill. So drive up and park where?
Recognizing the folly of, as they say, "putting lipstick on a pig" - quite honestly and sensibly, might not the efforts of our City Mothers be better directed towards promoting a new shopping, dining and entertainment experience further north in our city - despite the efforts of the struggling merchants who believe they have in spirit been abandoned?
33 comments:
any thought given to the fact that the suffolk/ports/ches area of the city is about 3times the population size of the dt/godwin/pitchkettle area, and can support a faster retail growth pace? Nah...why would facts be part of these rants?
Still not enough people to warrant a serious developer's attention.
Pull match from packet. Close cover before striking.
Why not just use TNT and implode the entire area. From east of the Fairgrounds, west to Oak Ridge or further. South lets take out the city all away to the border. As far as going north, lets go all the way out to Chuckatuck and lets not leave out the Kings Fork area. Even the Tourism Department can advertise it and charge admission. Then sell the land to the major food producing companies and start all over as a farming commuity that happens to be part of the Metroplex called North Suffolk. Or draw a perfect circle that covers the old city for 10 "square" miles in all directions from Washington and Main and level it all... no exceptions.Lets not let the city become the next Detroit.Let there be no local ownership of any property. Let the owners sell their property take their profits and leave.You think Grant destroyed Georgia for nothing?
What really is Downtown Suffolk? Is it a place that those who used to live there before the merger called Suffolk. What reason is there after the merger to even care about defining the downtown, when the real money is everywhere, but downtown?
I have been here in Suffolk for about 40 years and I really just do not get the cry about downtown. It seems we are a bit crazy as a community, where some cling to the past power centers, when they don't even exist anymore. Even though the Old City of Suffolk had the upper hand and power right after the merger, it seems clear that the areas of the City we all used to know as "The County" now has grown to eclipse the downtown power brokers. I have been friends with Andy for years and know his vision of our city and it will always be the old downtown, but that is not what Suffolk has become after the merger. Suffolk now has become more about Linda Johnson's vision of our city, where the growth of new houses to the north coupled with huge businesses and govenrment is what Suffolk is today. With the proposed develoment of large housing tracts to the west, north and south of downtown, that will only increase her vision of reality and kill my friend Andy's dream of a Suffolk that just does not exist anylonger.
So given this new reality, it must be recognized that reviving Downtown Suffolk just is not possible anymore than riviving a dead corpse. My councilman "Big Bubba Parr the undertaker" can tell you how hard that would be. At best downtown will become a mix of government buildings, some small restruants and shops that cater to those on the run doentown and who do not have time to go to the real shopping malls, and the slums east of town. That may sound harsh, but it is the truth, so just accept it and move on. We tried a sheme when Mr. Standish and Mr. Herbert were running the city to revive the downtown and that plan has been totally shreaded by Mayor Johnson and her administrative lackies. Just look at the facts: The fairgrounds projects is gone for all intents and purposes. The policy to lease old revived building downtown to add activity is dead. The private effrot to build condos downtown and on Constance Street has failed. The improvement of city streets and infastructure downtown is dead. And we all must recognize that the grand plans we all heard about for the old Black Bank and other east Washington Street projects are gone, with the execption of a few misplaced private projects. The only thing we have is millions in debt for a failed hotel and other similar projects.
So Suffolk is no longer about the old downtown, but much more about the new growth going on all around it. We are destined to become a morefidited characture of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk, with a little bit of Portsmouth thrown into the mix.
Clearly the cry has become, long live Suffolk, with regrets to the old downtown! If only they had only known what was to become of the old downtown, Suffolk would never have merged, because the county has eaten their lunch and they are not relevent anylonger. So let's not try to revive the corpse of downtown and let the old girl be buried, to become a footnote of the history. Suffolk is and will be a bedroom community with some large service sector development, government development and huge wharehouse sites that clog our roads.
The fastest way to revive dowtown is to halt police patrols and turn off the power grid. In no time you will have urban renewal process well underway with no hearings, permits or RFPs. Best of all it will be done at almost no cost to the taxpayer.
Ok define the borders. What is to be leveled? What is to be left as is.What do you do with the property that is left? The city/taxpayers are to buy all these folks out?
That which should be removed are quite obvious and already on a list. The city should not buy them unless they really want to improve downtown.
12:59 don't disagree with a word you wrote. Only it was Sherman that marched through Georgia. I say this with great pride as it was the Yankees that started urban renewal in the South.
All that needs to be done is reassess downtown properties and make slumlords and kind prove to the city they have property insurance to cover the replacement value of the building.
The current economic development director reportedly had a "plan" for development of the downtown area in 2008. Also, reported that there was a survey to be conducted by city officials to determine the areas that needed to be addressed for the downtown area to attract more businesses and further enhance the existing businesses. The Economic Development Department relocated their offices to East Washington Street to jump start the revitalization of the area. In past years the downtown area had an economic development professional that worked exclusively on selling downtown. Look at downtown Suffolk today and again in 10 years you will see the same sad picture.
Suffolk's government is perceived to be corrupt. Don't expect big league developers to dip their toe because the city's bad reputation.
The Va-Pilot had a not-so-favorable view of downtown Suffolk today. In an article talking about redistricting in Suffolk, it was quick to mention that median household incomes are higher in North Suffolk than in town.
I didn't realize income had anything to do with the way the lines were drawn. It also mentioned that in the last decade, the white population in Suffolk dropped from 53.8% to 50.8%.
On the one hand, with the 3 northern boroughs having to drop in population to give the 4 southern boroughs more poeple, one thought that comes to mind would be to make an eighth borough to keep the 4 southern ones the current size and level off the 3 northern ones. The only problem with that idea is that it would create another borough and therefore another councilman in Nothern Suffolk - something that would not be good for downtown.
Something else that is interesting is that the council will draw the lines that protect incumbents - not overlapping two into the same district. Why? The Virginia General Assembly doesn't always follow that guideline when drawing the state and federal districts. And besides, the seat does not belong to the incumbent, but to the people, who elect the best candidate. It does not matter to the people who specifically serves on council, but that a qualified person serve.
Additionally, I do not think that anyone of them live too close together anyway. I think they all live pretty centered in their boroughs.
After watching the spending of money for years to revive downtown, I am convinced we all would have been better off is none of it had happened. The hotel is a good example of how badly government is at development. This fake economic development did nothing to jump-start the downtown and only spent big local tax dollars to make some on city staff feel they could add to their resumes. What fakery and dishonesty they used to spend tens of millions os an utter failure. Do we need to say more?
Ohioans for a Better Suffolk. Spoken like a true carpet bagger. You guys destroyed your own state with liberal polices.How comer you yankees always leave things broke or destroyed Go home and take SHERMAN with you lol
Just wait until the redistricting is completd. This city will be more divided than it has ever been. You think there has been white flight? Just wait how long it will take to destroy North Suffolk. Portsmouth and Cheaspeake and even the pennisular folks are heading that way with their crime as well. There will be no Utopia for North Suffolk.
The developers that believed the city leader's words and the city manager's vision for downtown are long gone and will never ever return. They view our city as corrupt and shortsighted.
Downtown's wealthiest citizens have been whittled down to slumlords, drug dealers, government politicos and the occasional corrupt minister. Businesses are shrinking staff and taxes are viewed to be on the rise fueled by the city mothers planning more expensive gradiose projects and bigger uncontrolled government.
Lets face reality, downtown will become a predominately chocolate borough while the rest of the city will be vanilla. The Riverview section also known as the Fort Apache will be the last holdout of the good olds. I'm so sorry for Andy because he truely has the interest of downtown at heart.
1. Recognize our geographic limitations. Suffolk is never going to be a Towne Center. Its too far out (in the wrong direction) to draw the regional crowd that the mayor dreams of. Downtown would be a success if it could compete with Northern Suffolk; peoplle from Portsmouth and Chesapeake might be willing to make the hike if the city is willing to...
2. Commit to Safety. Been to Olde Towne Portsmouth lately? Cops are everywhere. Encourage zero-tolerance enforcement in the downtown core and stand behind the actions of officers. Not just police officers - code enforcement, ABC, all of it. Start at the square and spread out. No one wants to bring money to an area where they are seen as a target. Eliminating that threat is going to be messy business that our council members may not want to stomach, but it is essential in order to make real and lasting changes. We can have all the parking in the world, but if the lots are terrifying no one will use them. Pass a loitering law - many surrounding cities have them. Get the lurkers off the streets so people feel safe. I honestly believe that the answer lies with code enforcement resulting in....
3. The seizure and sale of deficient properties. Code enforcement allows the city to cite, seize and sale properties that violate ordinance. Why in the world doesn't the city follow through? Seize slum properties and sell them to someone who will take care of them and fill them with people who have means to contribute to the local economy. Street by street, the city needs to set a standard and adhere to it. Finally...
4. Recognize your target demographic. Downtown will not support an art gallery, but it probably would support a few well run bars and restaurants when the other issues are resolved. These are the businesses they city should be courting. I have a feeling that LJ thinks they might be a bit low brow, but you have to start somewhere, right?
Just my opinion...
Anon: 10:37
Do you really think that past city adminstrators who's history that those who made their living in the real estate market crack down on their own who are slumlords back then? Nothing has changed even with the adminstrators of today. its another good old boy network.
You would think that the sherriffs department could spend time investiagating code enforcement and do something for their pay. But we know that will never happen either. Too many ties to that office and other city officials.
Thank you downtown Suffolk for giving us a wonderful diversion from all the fast food restaurants elsewhere in our city. It is nice to have choices. Bring more, some of us appreciate good food.
It's so exciting Suffolk Restaurant Weak begins very soon. We can again enjoy downtown historic dining experience at former restaurant sites like AJ Gators, Front Street and the Oysterette. While you are there do not forget see the former hot dog cart site just outside of the Godwin Courthouse. Take the time to visit former franchise restaurants like Rally's and Popeye's. There's even the site of the all you can eat chinese buffet now a mexican restaurant. Where else but downtown Suffolk would a chinese restaurant close up. The SNH foodie critic opinion is the best part, corndogs with bacon grease with an angioplasty for dessert. Yep it's all there.
Honorable Mention; the Phoenix Bank-Suffolk African American History Museum & Chinese Take Out, Cotton Blossum Cafe, Main Street Restaurant, Pisces.
These restaurants that close are because of lack of business. The owners work long hours only to see patrons frequent chain restaurants instead of local ownership establishments. Also, the venom that has resulted of downtown versus anywhere else that keeps people away.
By the way, Suffolk doesn't have a monoply on closed business. Portsmouth, Norfolk, and other cities do have their share.
After constantly hearing for years that I had to pay for eateries with my tax dollars and pay for my food too, I now never eat downtown. I hope that more of these tax feed monsters fail so that we will be done with this experiment in economics by stupid administraters. Just say no to spending any money downtown!
I just left the Council Meeting Downtown and it seems sure that we all will have to brake out more of our money to support the dummies that run this city. They want to raise the tax rate by 6 to 13 cents or more on the milrate to keep the party rolling. True to form, Councilman Milteer the MILRATE was leading the charge to appoligize for taking more and more.
Seems like if someone is disgrunted about his/hers tax money being used to support a downtown eatery, that person would want to patronize that business because it is their investment also. Guess they don't think that way, to much hate and wishes of bad things happening to those who struggle to make a living.
Clarification request: Who is eating who's lunch North Suffolk or Downtown?
I agree with the comments to boycott downtown entirely. If we close it down like the mayor has privately called for we will not have to waste taxes on it. I agree with her and do not patronize any downtown businesses anymore, when I can get what I want from the Malls up NORTH. There is nothing I need downtown and will not pay just to keep someone who thinks they have political clout in business. I drive by downtown and drive to real shoping elsewhere. The Mayor has it right, starve downtown and it will fade away.
As a city employee, I spend a few dollars downtown, but I usually feel that I get ripped off for what I need due to high prices. I used to go to lunch at Barons or other places near Market Street,or even over to the SCCA Cafe, but just cannot afford their prices anymore. We have not had a raise in years and I now have to bring my lunch or cut somewhere else.
Sandwichmaker, get a life, at least you have a good job to buy groceries. Most of us are going broke paying the taxes that pays you wages.
In a good world, we would fire about half the lazy city workers as uneeded chaf that does little to earn their keep. With taxes rising, there will be a fight to fire more city workers to lower taxes for sure and I agree!
Listen up at the SNH this week is no time to stuff yourselves at Suffolk Restaurant Week. We know you want to look like Jennifer Hudson or chase her down since she shed three stone or more, but it ain't happening. You get no calories smelling the victuals just keep them off the plate out of mind and take a brisk walk instead. This is the first year anniversary of living with Obamacare and nobody wants to pay for it.
I too stay away from downtown because they charge such high prices for what they give and the service is arrogent or worse. I don't mind paying for good food and service, but there has been none downtown for many years.
The real pain is that the political crowd pulled everyone into their own sesspool by turning almost everyone against downtown because of politics. They let the sharp-tounged ones divide our citizens for some quick profits and now we are paying big. Remeber Micky Garcia and all the sugar words poured on that ignorant guy? He was the start of our downward spiral and now he is gone. Flashed big money and then dried up a blew town when it got tight, leaving bills and debt in his wake. I just hate how they divided us all for their own uses and called it leadership. So even I will not go downtown, except in passing. Now it is even worse with the likes of Parr and his big talk and all.
Thanks for sharing this great content, I really enjoyed the insign you bring to the topic, awesome stuff!
Watch Repair Shop Sherman Oaks
Post a Comment