I received this notice from the city of New Albany. It refers to regularly scheduled meetings every other month, at which representatives of Develop New Albany, NA First, the food & drink organization in development and others come together to receive city updates.
Having promised to share this with fellow downtown business owners, permit me to do so. Understand that you're not officially invited -- which is the precise reason you should attend and provide YOUR update to the city's officials. Two-way communications are only fair, right? After all, the last such meeting took place just BEFORE Harvest Homecoming. There's a lot to talk about.
I'll bring extra doughnuts and coffee.
Who's in? Let me know if you're planning on coming.
"The next scheduled meeting for the downtown not-for-profit group is Thursday, November 20th, 8:30 am at The Exchange. Donuts, juice and coffee will be provided. This is an opportunity for you to receive an update on City of New Albany projects."
I will not be able to attend due to a family hospital situation on the very day of this meeting.
ReplyDeleteIf I could be there, here are my concerns.
The revitalization of downtown which occured is fading quickly from what I am seeing. In my humble opinion, yes some restaurants were brought in thru the actions of a few. Some opened and not long after closed. Then more arrived and have maintained so far. Then additional retail stores appeared and the growth was looking good. All I have ever truly seen promoted are the restaurants which is good but more promotion for all types of businesses is needed. Shame on the city or its powers that be for not doing more and being forward thinking.
What future projects are truly related to continued growth? Adding living quarters downtown is great but not enough.
Many have already come and gone and more leaving. What can be done to continue the excitement and growth?
Downtown has been rather dead customer wise the last several months, kinda like it was when I first opened downtown almost ten years ago. Revitalization?
Billows disappeared, Keg Liquors moved out of downtown, Endris is closing, Aunt Arties Antique Mall is closing,Celtic Connection is next to close, Opal Gypsy is closed more than open, The Dandy Llon is rarely opened,what use to be the Little Chef has a new tenant but just sitting closed,and who knows what else is coming up. Pretty scary times wouldn't you say?
Why is this occuring? The revitization is fading away very quickly. Partly responsible are the business owners themselves, not being dedicated enough possibly. Not enough support from the local community itself in a continuous regular all year round support. No true support from the City in promoting downtown other than the restaurants. We need way more than restaurants for the revitalization to continue.
Shame on Develop New Albany and New Albany First for not doing more and especially the City forces that be and what they haven't done so far.
I do not have the answers but what revitalization occurred in the past resulted mainly from small business owners taking a chance and choosing downtown New Albany on their own. Some of them did not have the proper business knowledge to succeed for long maybe. Others had enough stamina to last as things occured and enough business sense to grow.
Some came after seeing a growth happening and wanted to be a part of that.
I guess what I believe is that all of that is good and was happenstance but without the City itself doing more we can kiss it all goodbye.
Can I reprint this on the main page? It is so very true.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll read it aloud next week.
ReplyDeleteDo as you wish.
ReplyDelete