The Master Plan to 'Fix' Dayton

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by CarpathianPeasant

Why was he elected?

He got more votes.

[CarpathianPeasant]

Originally Posted by TomJones123

He got more votes.

That's how, not why.

[TomJones123]

I give up then. Do tell.

[hensleya1]

Hi all--

After thinking and doing some research I've decided to simplify the plan. I've scuppered pretty much all "city government initatives" such as the shuttle because that uses city dollars that quite frankly, the city government doesn't have. All of that is insanity. If the government fosters private development first, then the private sector will provide generously in the form of payroll and property taxes.

1) I would still go full-speed ahead with construction on I-75, with the glaring exception of the reconfiguring of the downtown ramps. Make it three thru lanes, yes, but you need a LOT more than one big exit downtown on 75. The traffic snarls would be intolerable.

2) Likewise with my idea of expanding US 35 to three lanes in each direction between Smithville Rd. and I-675 by paving over the median. An added bonus is that Riverside PD loses its #1 revenue generator.

3) And my tax plan. I'd like to change it a bit, and expand its scope.

Originally, I proposed that anybody who lived AND worked within the "special economic zone" bordered roughly by I-75 on the west and north, US 35 on the south and Keowee St. on the east would have their city taxes cut by half. And that this, hopefully, would encourage more people to live and work downtown.

But, I'm changing that a bit. I propose a total tax abatement up to the first $44,000 per year made - which is what the Mayor currently makes at his part time job - for somebody who lives and works within downtown. This would include the CBD, the convention center, Oregon, and Tech Town.

I would then expand this to include neighborhoods immediately surrounding Downtown - South Park, Midtown, etc. If you live and work in that neighborhood, you also get a tax break on the first $44,000 a year made. This increases the incentive to conduct more business in your own neighborhood - which would go a long way towards improving them.

To compensate for the slight drop in revenues (only some 2,000-odd residents live in Downtown, fewer still of those work there as well), temporarily raise the city's income tax to 2.5% from 2.25% for five years.

Of course, if you live and work in the same neighborhood, then you pay far, far less.