Pueblo isn't all that great... (Denver, Colorado Springs: fit in, hotels, luxury)

[tommyp1]

Originally Posted by sammy87

Didnt read through all 22 pages, but who thought Pueblo was nice to begin with?

Its like Aurora, someone always tries to make it better than it is. Not gonna happen.

"....nice to begin with?" "Not gonna happen.":

LOL. Have to somewhat agree. It's like saying where is nirvana? Right now Pueblo's size is manageable. I don't like crowds. If UR totally "green" like me (cycle, walk, bus) it's good. I've found my 'nitch' here on the SW side. The only negative I have is that people drive fast here (ignore the speed limit of 35mph) but that is all over CO.

The only thing that will change any of it for me is: boredom and the day that arrives without asking for it.

[TCHP]

Pueblo was CO second largest city for most of the 20th century. It had a multi-national residency and workforce which brought with it a broad and diverse set of neighborhoods. It still has a very active arts and cultural scene for a city its size. It has easier access to more readily available water than nearly any other metro. It wasn't until the 1970s that its fortunes began to decline and its population has basically been stagnant. Some residents there resist the efforts to change the city and hold out for a blue collar revival. This lack of influx of new people, business, and money has allowed seedier elements to proliferate, brought the highest teenage birthrate in the state, and created volatile business and political environments. The marijuana and hemp industries are finally bringing an infusion of money to the city, but it hasn't been going on long enough or with enough cash to bring around a wholesale change. But its a start and it can gain moment. IF Pueblo can continue to pursue business growth and relocation, they have a chance to really become a gem.

[Hschlick84]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Pueblo was CO second largest city for most of the 20th century. It had a multi-national residency and workforce which brought with it a broad and diverse set of neighborhoods. It still has a very active arts and cultural scene for a city its size. It has easier access to more readily available water than nearly any other metro. It wasn't until the 1970s that its fortunes began to decline and its population has basically been stagnant. Some residents there resist the efforts to change the city and hold out for a blue collar revival. This lack of influx of new people, business, and money has allowed seedier elements to proliferate, brought the highest teenage birthrate in the state, and created volatile business and political environments. The marijuana and hemp industries are finally bringing an infusion of money to the city, but it hasn't been going on long enough or with enough cash to bring around a wholesale change. But its a start and it can gain moment. IF Pueblo can continue to pursue business growth and relocation, they have a chance to really become a gem.

I believe a lot of large towns and small cities experience that sort of thing. NIMBY attitudes and anti-business mindsets hinder economic prosperity.

[Terra_lioness]

Originally Posted by sammy87

didnt read through all 22 pages, but who thought pueblo was nice to begin with?

Its like aurora, someone always tries to make it better than it is. Not gonna happen.

lol

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by TCHP

Pueblo was CO second largest city for most of the 20th century. It had a multi-national residency and workforce which brought with it a broad and diverse set of neighborhoods. It still has a very active arts and cultural scene for a city its size. It has easier access to more readily available water than nearly any other metro. It wasn't until the 1970s that its fortunes began to decline and its population has basically been stagnant. Some residents there resist the efforts to change the city and hold out for a blue collar revival. This lack of influx of new people, business, and money has allowed seedier elements to proliferate, brought the highest teenage birthrate in the state, and created volatile business and political environments. The marijuana and hemp industries are finally bringing an infusion of money to the city, but it hasn't been going on long enough or with enough cash to bring around a wholesale change. But its a start and it can gain moment. IF Pueblo can continue to pursue business growth and relocation, they have a chance to really become a gem.

I agree with everything you said with one addition. I think thr lack of a mayor hurt Pueblo as there was no single leader to push the city/ metro foward. That changed this year. I think that will help Pueblo moving forward.

This is what i mean:

When Pueblo was last controlled by a mayor, it was the second-largest city in Colorado, housing a massive Colorado Fuel and Iron Company steel mill that attracted workers from around the world (according to the Denver Post, at one point Pueblo had two dozen foreign-language newspapers). But the steel crash at the end of the 20th century crushed the local economy, and its recovery from the Great Recession was slow. The city’s jobless rate peaked at more than 12 percent in 2013. It has dropped to around 4 percent now, but that’s still the highest of any major Colorado city. And Pueblo has fallen from the second-largest to the ninth-largest city in the state.


https://www.citylab.com/life/2019/02...mayors/583339/

[TCHP]

I agree the mayor arrangement may give Pueblo the single point of contact to keep messages and projects specific, precise, and moving forward. Look at the loss of baseball team from last year as a good reason this will help.

As Hschlick84 says, many places suffer from NIMBYism, but with Pueblo this is something that has to stop at the grassroots level if the city is going to change. The whole attitude that I won't do business with you because you aren't a local born and raised is only going to hurt Pueblo in the long run and create a barrier to bringing in business. I've encountered this on an occasion and wouldn't be surprised if it was not an isolated incident.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by TCHP

I agree the mayor arrangement may give Pueblo the single point of contact to keep messages and projects specific, precise, and moving forward. Look at the loss of baseball team from last year as a good reason this will help.

As Hschlick84 says, many places suffer from NIMBYism, but with Pueblo this is something that has to stop at the grassroots level if the city is going to change. The whole attitude that I won't do business with you because you aren't a local born and raised is only going to hurt Pueblo in the long run and create a barrier to bringing in business. I've encountered this on an occasion and wouldn't be surprised if it was not an isolated incident.

If that is true it needs to change. I do not have that attitude but I could be in the minority as I have lived all over the USA from Orlando to San Diego for college.

[tommyp1]

Originally Posted by TCHP

I agree the mayor arrangement may give Pueblo the single point of contact to keep messages and projects specific, precise, and moving forward. Look at the loss of baseball team from last year as a good reason this will help.

As Hschlick84 says, many places suffer from NIMBYism, but with Pueblo this is something that has to stop at the grassroots level if the city is going to change. The whole attitude that I won't do business with you because you aren't a local born and raised is only going to hurt Pueblo in the long run and create a barrier to bringing in business. I've encountered this on an occasion and wouldn't be surprised if it was not an isolated incident.

"...stop at the grassroots level (ie,NIMBYism)...":

I agree. And for those new here NIMBY translates to "Not in my backyard" like a "new shelter" for the homeless? The last person who was laughed at who came from the "grassroots" was Barack Obama. I don't know if anyone (ie, the next POTUS) can erase the DEEP polarization that now exists in these (Divided) States of America? A collaborative politician once coined the phrase: "All politics is local." (Tip O'Neil, Speaker of the House who collaborated with Ronald Reagan).

Josseppie: "I've lived all over." I don't know if that is relevant to Pueblo's needs but you have revealed what 'camp' you belong to in previous posts and usually your info is accurate....BUT...the new mayor is a realtor and lawyer and that definitely puts him in the 'haves' camp. If he wants to 'spread-out' some of HIS 'fat-cat' experience around in Pueblo then Pueblo may have a bright future? All it takes is some 'empathy'....a lost word in our lexicon. Thanks.

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by tommyp1

Josseppie: "I've lived all over." I don't know if that is relevant to Pueblo's needs but you have revealed what 'camp' you belong to in previous posts and usually your info is accurate....BUT...the new mayor is a realtor and lawyer and that definitely puts him in the 'haves' camp. If he wants to 'spread-out' some of HIS 'fat-cat' experience around in Pueblo then Pueblo may have a bright future? All it takes is some 'empathy'....a lost word in our lexicon. Thanks.

My comment about me living all over was directed to locals not accepting outsiders. I have not noticed it and love people moving in to the city as they bring new ideas. However living all over has influenced that as i have seen different ways to improve a city and how new residents can help a city prosper.

I would like to see the mayor get Pueblo past the stagnate growth we have and return the county to 30% to 50% growth per decade. I think one way to do that is allowing large projects to happen like the big one last year that included a minor leauge baseball stadium.

[NW Crow]

So new Mayor is near 60 days into job. What are the best things done or at least started?


The biggest stories I see on quick check of Google news are requesting a Chief of Staff position AND appointing a Deputy Mayor. Too early to say if these are good things or not. I'd have concerns though. A Police Chief does not imo have the time or expertise to do other additional things. What evidence is there that he is doing a good job and has time for distractions? New Deputy Mayor: "Economic development is important". Thanks for that insight. What expertise do you have to help lead it that you didnt get to share before?


A chief of staff and a Deputy Mayor? I don't know why you need both. And if you run to be a strong Mayor, what does it say that your first major acts are to get other people to do stuff for you? What happened to that whole single point of contact thing? Are they going to be enforcers? What policy initiatives?


Is the Mayor still doing private legal work?


City Council considering hiring its own legal advisor, concerned city attorney represents Mayor. Oh goody. This COULD get messy.


Things aren't getting done in City... so lets promote the Police Chief and hire from within for Public Works Director. That will accelerate change??


Have to see the results.


Will strong Mayor be one term & out or stay longer into his mid 70s?


Will the Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff eventually gets deputies, assistants? How are their duties divided? Who ranks higher? What mechanisms are in place for them to stay coordinated with Mayor and Council and department heads? If things weren't working when they were simpler, they are going to get better when things are new and appear more complicated?


Any "big projects that failed" for lack of leadership / coordination been actively re-opened and making significant progress?