4. SR 08-13-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 of3 our bikes in our vehicle and drive in order to arrive safely and use the existing trail system. How about connecting some ofthe existing neighborhoods to existing trails and make the most of what exists? And on the note of making the most of what we have, why isn't the waterfront area between Parrish and Babcock Park being developed for the public? Doesn't the city already own it? It would connect the public to the river without taking property from private citizens. Also, wasn't there a proposed walkway behind the Bluffs building for access to the river by the public? Why is it now routed to the front ofthe building? 3) HIGH DENSITY HOUSING: With regard to more high density housing around Lion's Park. Isn't that already a nightmare for the police department? Wouldn't adding more make it worse? JACKSON: While I like the idea of trees on the boulevard along Jackson I question what kind of care and maintenance will be provided? Is there a maintenance budget? I was embarrassed by the tall weeds growing up in the sidewalk cracks last summer and the summer before. I imagined people passing through town on highway 10 thinking. .. "the city has money for fancy new buildings, but they can't afford to hire someone to pull the weeds!" This year the weeding seems to be under control. Like wise, the planters that can be found on the sidewalks downtown don't get planted with flowers until mid summer. I am not sure who does this work for the city, but I am a gardener and want things cared for if they are going to be added. FINAL NOTE, BUT MOST IMPORTANT! I talked to some of the small business owners along Main Street. A lot of them feel defeated and that it's only a matter oftime until their buildings are demolished for more new downtown. HOW SAD is that! Many private business owners feel so unsupported even undermined by the city. What kind of town creates such apathy? I was told "GOOD LUCK the city will do what it wants". We do know that the rents/leases in those new buildings are beyond the means of many small business. This means we are inviting the chains and franchises in to take over. Simple as that. Why doesn't the city offer some type of financial incentive for the existing building owners to update the facades of the existing buildings? Why don't we wait and see how the existing new development turns out before we jump into more huge undertakings? Mean while there's plenty of smaller steps that can be taken, to improve our town. Ifwe wanted to live in FAKE TOWN instead of a real town we would have moved to Maple Grove. 7/24/2007