latest news on the downtown revitilazation project? (Dallas, San Antonio: how much, buy)

[mando111]

Found something interesting on Chase Tower's website. They've got this slideshow called "See Coming Renovations" showing some of the renovations they are planning. One slide has a map showing a Planned Hotel for the parking lot on Main Street across from San Jacinto Plaza.


Another slide shows some retail shops on the ground floor facing Main St. (Yes, that's a Starbucks.)


Kathy Dodson from Economic Development hinted at something planned for that site at one of the TIRZ Board meetings.

Check out he slideshow by visiting the website: Chase Tower

[peggydavis]

My hometown of OKC did revitalize its downtown and has had quite a success. Now it is considered very cool for young professionals to live in or near the downtown core area. I'd love to see that happening in El Paso!

[holmes]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Did you ever hear about the Streetcar conspiracy? In the late 40s, the US government sued National City Lines, a company that bought up and dismantled streetcar lines all over the country. Several very large corporations were involved, all interested in promoting automobiles and buses over streetcars.

I believe GM was a big backer of the dismantling of most cities public transportation systems. Streetcar lines were private entities that were eventually taxed out of the market largely by government subsidies to develop the infrastructure for the accomodation of the automobile. The streetcar lines were replaced by buses which of course were built by GM. This topic always reminds me of the movie Roger Rabbit at the end where Judge Doom talks about his vision to dismantle the "red car" and build freeways as far as the eye can see. Sadly this amusing plot line to the movie mirrored what actually did happen..

[LEVOW]

Originally Posted by mando111

Found something interesting on Chase Tower's website. They've got this slideshow called "See Coming Renovations" showing some of the renovations they are planning. One slide has a map showing a Planned Hotel for the parking lot on Main Street across from San Jacinto Plaza.


Another slide shows some retail shops on the ground floor facing Main St. (Yes, that's a Starbucks.)


Kathy Dodson from Economic Development hinted at something planned for that site at one of the TIRZ Board meetings.

Check out he slideshow by visiting the website: Chase Tower

WOW MANDO!Major news, thats cool, a Starbucks, would work in downtown, especially near all the banks, they should put an Applebees in downtown, i think it would work!

[holmes]

Those are some interesting ideas they have planned for the chase building. Sounds great. A city's downtown should be the epicenter of all kinds of ideas, buisinesses, etc. But you also gotta keep some of the flavor and character of what's already there. That's what makes downtowns interesting and a little adventurous. You don't know what you'll find around the corner. If the opposite were true, people could get the same thing in the suburbs. Then what would be the point of coming downtown? There has to be places you can only shop/dine/play at there. That's what'll create a draw for everyone across town. It's a delicate balance to have just enough grit to make the urban areas edgy and raw, but nice enough overall that it doesn't feel so commercialized and cartoony. You gotta have some of the national chains right up alongside the mom & pop places. A wide assortment of options should be available. Downtown shouldn't just be for any one demographic group. It's the peoples downtown. Ok my little idealistic spew over.

[el borracho]

tuscon has a trolley why cant we Old Pueblo Trolley - - An All Volunteer Operating Transit Museum

[Muhnay]

We have a museum here..

Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso

Click on the second link.. it will bring up some nice pictures that scroll of the place. Also give a good idea of what downtown looks like.

[LEVOW]

http://www.elpasotexas.gov/_document...ort_061129.pdf

i dont know if you guys have taken a gander at this report, very interesting, again i sure hope, we get this rolling, el pasoans deserve it! be patient it takes a min or 2 to load up, but its worth it!

[holmes]

It's official: Foster has acquired the Plaza hotel with plans to restore it to its former glory. Bravo sir!

Plaza Hotel Purchased by Foster's Mills Plaza Properties - Newspaper Tree El Paso

[Muhnay]

Awesome.. it will be great to see that old hotel restored. I will check it out when it is. We need to get RGV to come out and take some pictures of all this stuff.. he has the greatest talent for picture taking.