10/13/08
Post details: Downtown is worth the investment
I’ve read a lot of comments recently about efforts to revitalize downtown Fremont. One of the city council’s committees recently agreed to spend money to fund a study on returning to two-way streets downtown. Fremont’s budget also has about $550,000 set aside for downtown improvements.
Many of those who comment suggest using tax money for downtown improvements is a handout to business owners. Some even suggest the money is going directly into the pockets of business owners.
What a crock.
Yes, downtown businesses may benefit from two-way streets and better sidewalks and lighting. If they do, that means more sales tax dollars for the city, which could be used to fix streets in other parts of the city or hire additional police officers or firefighters.
But to suggest business owners are lining up to collect a government check is simply wrong. Downtown businesses provide jobs for many people and sales tax revenue for the city. In return, they get little support from Fremont’s city government. It is past the time for Fremont to invest in its downtown.
Comments:
scott said:10/14/08 at 20:34
I cannot believe the whiners have not taken over this blog already!!
The city of Fremont does almost nothing for the downtown area and that is just too bad.
The downtown area is what defines a town(along with other things). When our downtown area is taken over by one store and a few legal offices, it is just a shame. This doesn't even bring into account the 505 building the the slumlords own.
Everybody wants us to be like Columbus, when was the last time anybody went to Columbus to"just spend the day"(never).
Columbus gave all those tax exemptions and now has nothing to show. Part of the reason for this is they have no real idenity. Anyone can have a Walmart, Applebees and other chain stores, only a town like Fremont can really have a destination like downtown that people actually want to come to.
I'll never understand the negativity towards Downtown Fremont
The city of Fremont does almost nothing for the downtown area and that is just too bad.
The downtown area is what defines a town(along with other things). When our downtown area is taken over by one store and a few legal offices, it is just a shame. This doesn't even bring into account the 505 building the the slumlords own.
Everybody wants us to be like Columbus, when was the last time anybody went to Columbus to"just spend the day"(never).
Columbus gave all those tax exemptions and now has nothing to show. Part of the reason for this is they have no real idenity. Anyone can have a Walmart, Applebees and other chain stores, only a town like Fremont can really have a destination like downtown that people actually want to come to.
I'll never understand the negativity towards Downtown Fremont
a said:10/17/08 at 15:22
Give me one reason to shop downtown.
bad parking
high prices
nothing to offer the shoppers
bad parking
high prices
nothing to offer the shoppers
g said:10/19/08 at 00:27
If you look in the right places things are not high priced.The people are very friendly & helpful downtown. Try to get help at Walmart from the grumpy employees there.Yes,the parking is bad at times but walking doesn't hurt anyone & handicap parking is very available.
xyz said:10/19/08 at 09:30
only thing this town believes in if you anit from here you are a outsider all ive seen is more taxes and improvement except for person are persons who is already established in this commuity i know this first hand due to i a promoter who move from sa tx to here. some business dealings have been on way not two ways they say a lot of things but never do what they say this place is a joke
JT said:10/19/08 at 19:01
Here's a reason, keep that money in Fremont instead of sending it to NW Arkansas and the Walton family.
To: xyz said:10/21/08 at 12:45
WHAT??? Your comment made no sense what so ever!! Can anybody translate? I don't think there are even any proper sentences in your comment.
Back to the subject. Downtown Fremont is Wonderful! I work and shop there every day. I enjoy all of the merchants, I enjoy people saying hello on the street. I have eaten at most of the places that offer food at one point or another and they are great. I do think that a lot of people overlook the Downtown area. Because of that, there are several empty buildings, that part is very sad. I hope downtown grows. I'm not sure that changing traffic will help with that, but I'm not an expert. Although I will have fun watching all of the craziness if it changes over. I can guarantee that people will so forget that the street's aren't one way any longer. It will be funny to watch for a while. I just hope that the accidents are kept to a minimum.
I can tell you from experiance, that out of towners can't tell which streets are one way and which ones aren't and it has created some very close calls.
Ultimatly, I hope to see Downtown Fremont grow by leaps and bounds. It would be really cool if we could get a small grocery store downtown, and one that isn't geared toward our hispanic community(not that there is anything wrong with these places). It would be nice to have a place to run and pick up bread and milk before going home, rather than driving all the way across town. Just an idea
Back to the subject. Downtown Fremont is Wonderful! I work and shop there every day. I enjoy all of the merchants, I enjoy people saying hello on the street. I have eaten at most of the places that offer food at one point or another and they are great. I do think that a lot of people overlook the Downtown area. Because of that, there are several empty buildings, that part is very sad. I hope downtown grows. I'm not sure that changing traffic will help with that, but I'm not an expert. Although I will have fun watching all of the craziness if it changes over. I can guarantee that people will so forget that the street's aren't one way any longer. It will be funny to watch for a while. I just hope that the accidents are kept to a minimum.
I can tell you from experiance, that out of towners can't tell which streets are one way and which ones aren't and it has created some very close calls.
Ultimatly, I hope to see Downtown Fremont grow by leaps and bounds. It would be really cool if we could get a small grocery store downtown, and one that isn't geared toward our hispanic community(not that there is anything wrong with these places). It would be nice to have a place to run and pick up bread and milk before going home, rather than driving all the way across town. Just an idea
Alyssa said:10/22/08 at 23:31
I am originally from Fremont but currently am living in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Over the years I have lived here, the historic area of downtown Bryan has grown from a slump of empty buildings to a beautiful three blocks of cafes, pubs, groceries & lofts. It is even the site for a large annual steak & wine festival that drew almost 10,000 visitors this year. The money invested in a historic downtown with a dedicated committee to oversee its improvements will pay itself back tenfold. Check out downtownbryan.com if you want to see how it has grown. The area reminds me of home so I am there most nights of the week now.
b bop said:10/24/08 at 06:15
"what a crock"? hmmm thats sounds like a great idea lets just take away the older parts of fremont and suffocate it. i didn't think fremont was so ignorant that they dont want their city to flourish. as omaha moves west it will bring more shoppers. i really dont think they will come to spend their money at walmart and jimmy johns. i would like to think fremont has somthing uniuqe to offer, therefore giving the downtown businesses the means for that. ie: adveritsing, new and different product lines, renovations. or maybe we should just give the money to the ignorant fremont residents to educate themselves. there are books about economy, local businesses, profit margin ect...read them before you go to work at walmart.
Tired of Morons-Used To Be Bobo said:10/24/08 at 22:30
Greetings, fellow Morons. Should public funds be spent with the hope of encouraging downtown development? Consider the following:
Rod Kush closes, Kranse expands.
Starbucks closes, Blue Bottle thrives.
Lazlo's fails, J's opens.
The only jewelry stores in town are...downtown.
The best pizza-Andy's, downtown.
World-class gunsmith, downtown.
Only place you can buy an A, B, or C width shoe..Bucks, downtown.
Nationally, it's been years since a significant indoor Westroads-Oakview type mall has been built. The trend is the "lifestyle" type mall like Village Point-a fake "downtown" imitation. Downtown Fremont is far from that. But that's what people want.
But above all, the above named merchants, plus all the others downtown, are not franchises or corporate stores. These are locally owned businesses with life savings at risk. I for one, would rather have my money spent to support them over a Menards that may or may not ever build a new store.
And to xyz: The only thing understandable from your post is that "you a promoter". What might you "promote"? Do you actually earn a living from your "promoting"? Geez.
Rod Kush closes, Kranse expands.
Starbucks closes, Blue Bottle thrives.
Lazlo's fails, J's opens.
The only jewelry stores in town are...downtown.
The best pizza-Andy's, downtown.
World-class gunsmith, downtown.
Only place you can buy an A, B, or C width shoe..Bucks, downtown.
Nationally, it's been years since a significant indoor Westroads-Oakview type mall has been built. The trend is the "lifestyle" type mall like Village Point-a fake "downtown" imitation. Downtown Fremont is far from that. But that's what people want.
But above all, the above named merchants, plus all the others downtown, are not franchises or corporate stores. These are locally owned businesses with life savings at risk. I for one, would rather have my money spent to support them over a Menards that may or may not ever build a new store.
And to xyz: The only thing understandable from your post is that "you a promoter". What might you "promote"? Do you actually earn a living from your "promoting"? Geez.
Alissa Morelli said:11/01/08 at 14:31
OOoooo I like the idea of sprucing up the downtown area. May I suggest matching awnings for all storefronts to add a uniformity of sorts and keep things appealing/clean/rich looking? Redo the hiddious sidewalks, get an updated version of planters and secured benches along the main street so that we can sit and enjoy the people watching or just to get some rest. You get what you put out and right now our downtown doesn't put out a lot so inturn, we get very little. Oh can we have an outside eating area with table umbrellas or awnings? Once we've made it pretty downtown start looking for renters!!! All building owners have to contribute to making this happen. It should not be just our tax dollars making these improvements. Gosh, im thrilled at the thought of one brisk fall evening walking along the shops downtown, stopping into a quaint restaurant for a nice hot cup of tea and then continuing with more shopping.
Wondering said:11/06/08 at 17:00
I seen some cities do pretty good with there down town buisness's but lets face it folks when you have to walk in one store and back outside and try to find another store and then worry about the parking meters running out of time so you don't have to pay a fine and then run into another store it just isn't worth the trouble. I will take a mall anyday and just stay inside and walk from store to store. Anybody notice the city doesn't have there money grabing parking meters at Wal-marts or any buiness's at the malls.
FYI to Wondering said:11/14/08 at 12:30
Just so you know "Wondering" Downtown Fremont does not do parking meters any more. They haven't for some time. It is a 2 hour limit for parking, but they also have several No time limit parking lots and a large parking garage available as well.
Downtown Fremont is a great place!!! I can't wait to see it get even better!!!
Downtown Fremont is a great place!!! I can't wait to see it get even better!!!
Concerned said:11/16/08 at 19:45
I went down town to shop twice last week for things I needed and could not find a parking place unless I wanted to walk 4-6 blocks. This might be OK in the summer but not when it is freezing cold and the winds are blowing. I will take a in door mall anyday. Better solve the parking problems before you waste more of our money.
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