Is it too early to get excited about downtown JC? (Johnson City: condo, homes)

[rccrain]

This makes the future sound bright...

JohnsonCityPress.com - Local News - Johnson City, TN

[mbmouse]

This little blip in the article I believe says it all:
Blowers warned, though, that while private money has helped downtown limp along through the years, it can’t now expect the city to shoulder the entire responsibility for redevelopment.

“If individual entrepreneurs do not follow the lead of the city of Johnson City, the downtown will lapse back into the dark ages from which it is now emerging.”

Sure, everyone can get excited about downtown and it may work this time, but not if private sector money doesn't come in as well.
However, if the city addresses and puts the money up FIRST for the infrastructure that needs to be put in place, than maybe the private will/should follow. Another big issue that downtown JC has had in the past doesn't seem to have been address yet and has been a big hindrance. The building inspectors/permit process and so forth. There has been private money before and that dept. has proven to be a big hurdle and caused private investors to spend way more money than planned and caused some to fail. I think if that is also addressed, for that dept to work WITH the private investors, than this might be the time it all starts to happen.

[jabogitlu]

To answer your question, yes. I didn't click the article, but I believe it's the same one I read yesterday. The lady from Seattle that they kept interviewing -- who the hell is that!? They all seem to be focused on "what a family would want to do in downtown Johnson City," which is missing the entire point. A TRULY vital downtown isn't focused on tourism, even local tourism - at least not completely. Until we get some concrete jobs downtown (bank offices, ETSU presence -- especially medical research, health clinic expansion) then it's going to continue to flounder. A neighborhood can't prosper if no one lives and works there.

Until I see that becoming the main focus of these downtown renaissance groups, then I say that downtown will develop only to a fraction of what it could be.

[rccrain]

But here is what I think they are getting at:

1. Fix the flooding.
2. Make the downtown area more visually attractive.

I don't care what 3-10 are at the moment. I think they've got 1 & 2 right, as far as priority.

Long run - I think you are right jab, but as someone who might eventually put an office downtown, I'm glad that planners are thinking about utility (flooding) and attractiveness. But I'm probably too optimistic...

[jabogitlu]

I hope you're right, man. I was thinking earlier on the drive home, as I passed by the new trailhead-thingy at the intersection of University and State of Franklin. Why isn't this trail being signed? First off, the city needs a good and recognizable logo. (It's debatable about the awful thing they use now...) Then, use it! Sign this trail so we know what in the world's going on in our city.

As far as visually attractive meeting functional, I think this is very important for not only improving aesthetic, but also for providing a certain kind of "brand awareness." People aren't going to be proud of something that can't recognize as cohesive.

But I agree that our city government and planners seem to be much closer these days to mitigating many of the flooding problems that plague South Johnson City.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

To answer your question, yes. I didn't click the article, but I believe it's the same one I read yesterday. The lady from Seattle that they kept interviewing -- who the hell is that!? They all seem to be focused on "what a family would want to do in downtown Johnson City," which is missing the entire point. A TRULY vital downtown isn't focused on tourism, even local tourism - at least not completely. Until we get some concrete jobs downtown (bank offices, ETSU presence -- especially medical research, health clinic expansion) then it's going to continue to flounder. A neighborhood can't prosper if no one lives and works there.

Until I see that becoming the main focus of these downtown renaissance groups, then I say that downtown will develop only to a fraction of what it could be.

Excellent points, Jab..... The business factor is vital and we'd often said it would help significantly if the city would put some of their own offices in the heart of downtown - also give some kind of incentives for businesses and offices to locate downtown.

It's often said that when lights come on in the 2nd story windows of old downtowns that's a pretty good indicator something good is happening... A fact we tried to stress to many city folks long ago - basically saying, our presence is *important*.. Many who used to live downtown (some like us, part-time) - 5-8 years ago felt a nice sense of community for a while. Downtown *was* happening then.. My 80+ year old mom even bought a condo because she appreciated this growing sense of community.

Then it seemed like a subtle blockade of sorts was erected after residents came together and requested that a few concessions be made for residents; such as more of a police presence, not full time but the hours when incidents most often occurred (especially when the bars let out). Also, annual *resident-paid-for* parking stickers so we could park a little closer in without being constanty ticketed near our homes. Not too long after these written requests were made, one side of parking on Spring Street (in existance since the town was built) was completely closed off, eliminating much-needed downtown parking. This, obstensibly to allow fire trucks to gain easy access - although the trucks *could* and did get through Spring and Tipton Streets previously.
Obviously, these 'resident' requests were not very popular. There's more - a lot more, but, suffice it to say that over time some folks just got tired of the city agencies treating them shabbily and we lost many of our dedicated downtown (resident and business) activists. Back then a renaissance was in the works and there were many meetings and charettes (sp) but it all seemed to slowly grind to a halt due to many disparate factors.

Perhaps with the Tipton Street project and more financial city input things this time will be different. I do think we also have 'believers' now within the city government. It's just sad that the impetus was once lost when it could have been so effective.. I always go back to the 9-11 Commission talking about a "failure of imagination". Perhaps people now have a better vision of what a wonderful attribute downtown JC could be with a little financial help and some pumped up imagination brought to fruition. My fingers have remained crossed for 15 years..

[Ripshin]

SS - sorry, I just lost my latest post. You have made many good points. In the mere 8 months that I have lived here, I have learned quickly, that "new" ideas are pushed aside. Anything deemed a criticism is taken as an affront. There is a sense of self-satisfaction with the status quo, regardless of experience or intention. JC can organize all of the funnel cake/rock band events it wants downtown, but until it makes the area affordable and safe for RESIDENTS, it will not flourish.

"We like it the way it is" is a death knell. I've seen the plans (repeated in the paper today), but "park spaces" aren't the only answers to the problems.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by Ripshin

SS - sorry, I just lost my latest post. You have made many good points. In the mere 8 months that I have lived here, I have learned quickly, that "new" ideas are pushed aside. Anything deemed a criticism is taken as an affront. There is a sense of self-satisfaction with the status quo, regardless of experience or intention. JC can organize all of the funnel cake/rock band events it wants downtown, but until it makes the area affordable and safe for RESIDENTS, it will not flourish.

"We like it the way it is" is a death knell. I've seen the plans (repeated in the paper today), but "park spaces" aren't the only answers to the problems.

Whew!! That is *exactly* the situation - you nailed it -- and in the process made me feel not so guilty about my less than enthusiastic response to the latest charettes, etc.. Until downtown JC is *genuinely* inclusive and open in its acceptance of ideas from others (who perhaps *may* have some experience in these matters), they are doomed to keep repeating the pattern that has plagued this potentially wonderful community for as long as we've been there - 15 years and counting. We ultimately made the decision to put our money elsewhere after fighting/debating all the powers that be for over a decade. We and many others.. What a loss.. Thanks for your comments!