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Let's not underestimate the importance of this event. Over 2000 people participate in this event each year from across the country--last year when the event passed through Farmville I spoke with people from Cincinnati and Boston. The economic impact of 2000 people stopping in town, staying in our hotels for the night, dining in our restaurants, and using our streets to get around by bicycle will be tremendous.
They will also be evaluating our town, as with NCAS (the event organizer), as a cycling destination for the future. Over the next few months--as those who are a bit more interested than the general public in city politics and management--MUST lean heavily on the city to prepare our Uptown and surrounding areas to be received as a cycling city. Dangerous drivers and a lack of bike lanes and racks are a black eye.
On ECU--
I know Bowman personally and regard him as a friend. He's not prone to exaggeration. ECU administration needs to get its act together and fast. Scandal after scandal, particular when they come down to ego (as is the case here), does nothing but tarnish the university in the eyes of prospective faculty and staff. What development professional would be interested in working in this role knowing that an insecure fool at some level above them will create such a mess?
Last edited by bikepedguy; 01-31-2019 at 03:50 PM..
Let's not underestimate the importance of this event. Over 2000 people participate in this event each year from across the country--last year when the event passed through Farmville I spoke with people from Cincinnati and Boston. The economic impact of 2000 people stopping in town, staying in our hotels for the night, dining in our restaurants, and using our streets to get around by bicycle will be tremendous.
They will also be evaluating our town, as with NCAS (the event organizer), as a cycling destination for the future. Over the next few months--as those who are a bit more interested than the general public in city politics and management--MUST lean heavily on the city to prepare our Uptown and surrounding areas to be received as a cycling city. Dangerous drivers and a lack of bike lanes and racks are a black eye.
I think this is a great thing for the city. 2,000 folks will be camped out (probably at the Town Commons) and it looks like they're going to have a special event for this group there. But those folks will definitely be spending money and coming from all over. The city needs to pull out the red carpet for these cyclists. Great job on whatever group was able to convince this group to come to town.
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Here's some good info from the city's recent council meeting. Updates the city's major priorities for the next 2 years.
1. Plans for parking are in place for the Dickinson Ave corridor. (pg. 79)
2. It appears that there are some restrictions in place that prevent much of the Town Commons from being commercially developed *major reason the whole pirate ship building/museum
never materialized* , but they are looking to activate at least an acre and 1/2 where the radio tower was that isn't affected by those restrictions (pg.128)
3. Zero mention of summer league baseball team being any priority. Guess that will take longer to develop.
I think this is a great thing for the city. 2,000 folks will be camped out (probably at the Town Commons) and it looks like they're going to have a special event for this group there. But those folks will definitely be spending money and coming from all over. The city needs to pull out the red carpet for these cyclists. Great job on whatever group was able to convince this group to come to town.
---------------------
Here's some good info from the city's recent council meeting. Updates the city's major priorities for the next 2 years.
1. Plans for parking are in place for the Dickinson Ave corridor. (pg. 79)
2. It appears that there are some restrictions in place that prevent much of the Town Commons from being commercially developed *major reason the whole pirate ship building/museum
never materialized* , but they are looking to activate at least an acre and 1/2 where the radio tower was that isn't affected by those restrictions (pg.128)
3. Zero mention of summer league baseball team being any priority. Guess that will take longer to develop.
Based on that link it appears the "parking" will be street parking on Clark and Dickinson. Wonder if the vendors in that area requested street parking. IMO, a city deck should be part of the Imperial project and should be used to entice office/hotel onto that site.
There were 64 public events held in the Town Common. Looks like that number continues to grow and should grow in 2019. Hopefully the public gets on board and shows up.
Speaking of the TC, the Sycamore Hill project received NO BIDS during a rebid. That really goes to show the amount of construction work going on in the city and the lack of available contractors.
Back in the fall I spoke with the city about parking in and around Dickinson. While they prefer a deck, its too expensive, so we're left with a surface lot. My interest were in and around the Imperial area and that is where the city official indicated there may be a lot but nothing concrete.
Back in the fall I spoke with the city about parking in and around Dickinson. While they prefer a deck, its too expensive, so we're left with a surface lot. My interest were in and around the Imperial area and that is where the city official indicated there may be a lot but nothing concrete.
There is likely debt service now on the Cotanche/4th St deck to pay off. Not able to take on more debt for another deck.
Nothing wrong with a small surface lot in the area and some on street parking...temporarily. Maybe they could add street parking to 8th and 9th St...
Or how about clearing the Imperial Site and just having it be a temporary gravel surface parking lot. ECU did this on the corner of 10th and Evans prior to the Biotech building being started.
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