Issues

Waterfront

Public waterfront property has played a significant role during our history. I believe it will play an even greater role in our future. Both the Pier and Al Lang have contributed enormously to downtown’s social and cultural identity. Each is important, but before we take final action on them or other downtown issues let’s understand the interplay between them all. If we’ve learn anything about redevelopment it is that every project has impacts, positive and sometimes negative. But when only positive impacts are considered there is a possibility of triggering the law of unintended consequences. This is why I strongly support a Downtown Master Plan. Developing the Plan is a process. It starts with evaluating downtown’s many elements and assets. The next step is to invite and engage broad public education and participation. From study and public feedback an action plan will be produced. This plan will not be set on a shelf but will be administered by a Planning Department official, whose focus extends beyond the next election.

Pier

I like the original Pier, but not the idea of a replication of it.

I have hard time imagining a Pier without a building on the end of it. But before I’d support any further expense on the Pier I want to ensure that the expense is worth our investment. Let’s make sure the Pier can serve a variety of uses and complement, not compete, with other businesses downtown.

In the past, the Pier complimented downtown activities. The Spa pool, museum, and beach activities brought people downtown and thus boosted core business. When the current pier was built downtown was in decline. A new pier provided new energy without fear of competing with in-town businesses.

Today taxpayers subsidize private business interests at the Pier. These interests compete with downtown’s core businesses. Though the Pier still remains an iconic feature that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every month-to downtown, there are limited dollars moving thru the economy. Pier benefits and offsets need to be considered before final decisions about its future are made

Al Lange Stadium

Recently, someone mentioned the “Saturday Morning Market” and its need for a permanent home. I thought about other downtown markets and the public facilities that accommodate them.

Might the Al Lange site work for the Saturday Morning Market?

Here is another example of a subject that deserves to be included in a broader community discussion of downtown’s future.

Parking and Public Transportation

We are missing infrastructure, parking and mobility options in our downtown. Infrastructure brings a downtown to life by creating the connections between a downtown’s many mini activity nodes. They bring people together; they multiply synergistic activities throughout downtown. They attract investments, which fills empty space and improves the City’s tax base.

New infrastructure will produce the vibrancy that healthy urban cores depend upon.

As mayor I’ll correct a parking system that is more designed to serve the City’s revenue needs than people. Clearly it is not serving merchant or visitor. Downtown’s public transportation system confines everyone to small areas they saw yesterday. Yes, it brings visitors in from the beach, a nice addition, but buses provide panhandlers the same access to downtown. More is needed.

For years I’ve seen one politician after another restructure Development and Planning departments to serve political ambitions or other interests. Developments are fine but downtowns are first about people. Make the change that connects people with the many urban destination spots, and watch the transformation. Isolate people and watch downtown die.

Transportation Options. I like the idea of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system that links downtown with the Beach and other major activity centers. However, downtownscore is better served with smaller, trolley type vehicles, with more frequent runs between the waterfront and a transportation hub at the west edge of downtown.

I like the idea of both an in-town trolley and the BRT, but would limit BRT traffic to areas west of 8th St. or MLK Street.

Downtown Code enforcement, an improved police presence, Cleaning up downtown

Uniform enforcement of all codes is necessary for our safety, security and comfort. Correcting current conditions requires more public and private attention.

Walk Jannus Landing, look at their planters, the buildings, the alley. Who’s responsible for the filth, the maintenance? The property owner is responsible for the buildings. How about the planters, and the debris that covers the sidewalks?

Our historic preservation, downtown revitalization and redevelopment goalshave fallen short. Original maintenance contracts between Jannus Landing’s property owners and the City were abandoned years ago, so we need a new plan now. A new arrangement with Jannus Landing owners must be implemented with little cost to taxpayers.

The city has a few street elements that need attention, like better planning for tree placement and lighting systems and their maintenance. I mention these two features because they are essential for our comfort, safety and security. However, in some areas of downtown the shade offered by trees during the day frequently blocks much of the evening illumination that pedestrians need. I brought this issue to the City’s attention last year and understand it is being looked at.

Panhandling is a problem for everyone. The police aren’t enforcing the aggressive panhandling ordinance. A greater police presence will help but that will not be enough. We all know the difference between homelessness and panhandling. We are a charitable society and our constitution acknowledges our concern for the disadvantaged. I believe the constitution also provides protections for the relationship between business and their customers.

There is a practical balance. Our ability to assist those who are less fortunate, means that those with jobs must be able to perform them, and those with shops should not be prevented from keeping them open. As mayor I’ll work to assist the homeless. I’ll also end activities that threaten businesses.