Agreed, the right drug is the right drug.
The ironic thing is that the Good Job First is one of the first sites and groups I learned of. Unfortunately, I'm usually in a hurry when posting hence the typos and most of the time just grab something to support my position and it's sometimes obviously not the right choice. Being already familiar with much of the info I guess I assume what I'm linking is strong enough to support my view. I promise to be better in the future
"So now that we assume to know the effects on big box contributing to urban sprawl, what can be done about it, considering the fact that it is primarily the shopping habits of the American consumer that has made it so popular? What the majority of consumers want drives the retail arena. Do you think it is possible to draw consumers back to urban cores with anything other than quirky little boutique type shops and restaurants? IS there a retail future for any old downtown areas, other than entertainment venues, and office space or lofts?"
I think there is. There are successful efforts taking place around the country to do so. A great example that I refer to often is Schenectady. Dick posted another example in Portland. A Google search will reveal many more.
Malls are a dying breed and it's partially due to big box but it's also because of the malls themselves. What they charge is outrageous and then they want a cut on top. I've mentioned the Gateway area and the Bagg's Square area as a start. Spending some of this stimulus $$$ that the city is sitting on as well as private investment we can clean up these areas. There's also MILLIONS of dollars in county $$$ that get wasted by MV Edge every year. I'm not big on government funding private business but if there's ever a justification for it, our situation is it. In time and in theory, the business community's need for this money will diminish and can very positively improve the tax situation overall. So we clean up the area, new sidewalks, curbs, etc., and we make the improvements needed to the existing structures when feasible. There are some very cool, "old school" buildings. Then we do exactly what YOU posted about low upfront rents and allowing for growth. A PLANNED balance of national, regional and locals. Retailers, restaurants, you name it. But PLANNED is the key. like I posted earlier, I was interested in a couple of buildings on Genesee next to Utica Coffee Roasting on the 200 block. One for a Poppy's location and one for an incubator. Now it would have made sense for me to be next to a coffee shop. All ages, family friendly. BUT one building was purchased with the intent to be a bar. Now it makes NO sense for me to locate there next to a bar and yes I am aware that there is a strip club on the same block but the building is for sale so I'm sure their exit could be arranged. Additionally the Running Hall of Fame is on the same block. My intent with the purchase of the second building was to offer micro loans and offer really cheap space for locals that had strong and creative business ideas. This two block area could be the start of something great downtown. There SOME work being done around Bagg's Square that could certainly be used to grow on and I think I mentioned the abandoned portion of Union Station. I could see that being a very cool spot for some smaller shops. I'm sure others have some good ideas as well. Make coming downtown an event, make it fun. There are plenty of people that won't shop for certain items in a big box. That's what we put in those spots. Clothing stores, niche items, artisan shop. I'm not reinventing the wheel here, I'm just paying attention to what others are doing.
"Do you actually see a city the size of Utica successfully making itself over into a "main street" community like Saratoga, Clinton NY, or Cooperstown?'
I do. I think Saratoga is bigger than Utica. Clinton is way overrated and Cooperstown has it's own charm. What is ours? According to the tourism council it's golf. Then we have the Casino. What if we had a cool downtown to bring these together? Dad wants to come out and check out a couple of courses over the weekend and the rest of the fam is going to shop, maybe hit the zoo and maybe take in a show. We have resources, we need people in positions that know how to utilize them.
"One of the things stated on the Good Jobs First site was a suggestion somewhere that the codes for older homes be less stringent. I feel just the opposite. I think they should be strong enough to force slumlords to either spend the bucks to fix the houses, or force them to abandon them or tear them down. We can't wait for arson fires to leave the city with enough greenfield space to rebuild itself from the inside out."
I'm with you on that but like I've stated all along. It's time to take some of this garbage down. Wait, hell no. People have been waiting for too long.
"How do you explain to the average American that they should boycott big box retailers, because of the effect that they have had on America's economy, when it is that same economy that has driven many of them to shop there to begin with? How do you tell someone that you don't want their 2 or 3 hundred jobs because they don't pay enough, and that you would rather see people leave the area or stay and draw unemployment and welfare?"
We don't but we do use strong marketing tools and informational programs to teach consumers about their buying power. Like I said, you can't get EVERYTHING at a big box and even some of the things you can people buy elsewhere. I wear Levi blue jeans and that's all I wear. Can't get them at Wal Mart. Can I get them at the mall, yes, But I wouldn't mind going down to happening downtown, maybe bumping into some people I know, grab a quick bite maybe. there is something attractive about a city. Maybe not to everyone but to a lot of people. Hell lot's of people still live in them.
As far as jobs, we ENCOURAGE locals to start up, to create their own. Everybody's got a dream and in a thriving city and community all types are needed. Not just sales and retail clerks or even owners but Architects, tech companies, the list goes on and on.
"You posted stats on the Albany area. I attribute some of the successes in both Albany and Syracuse to their locations with interstate highway access both North and South, as well as East and West. Utica-Rome is kind of in the hinterlands, caught in between those two major areas. How can Utica compete with those logistical advantages?"
We're on the Thruway and the rail line. If the high speed deal ever works out, it could put us in good shape. The bottom line is that people have to WANT to get here first. Isn't there work being done to widen 12 from Binghamton as well? I love the Albany area and go to Syracuse but in reality, a lot of what I go there for, I'd prefer to find here. I think some will echo that.
"Then there is the political climate in the area. They just last night ousted a very dedicated and hard working young man from the county board of legislators in favor of going back to the same old crap with one of the city's "good old boys". How does one manage to change the entire political complexion of the area, when the crooks and thieves have run the area's politics for so long? Everyone bitches about the politics daily, and then on election day go to the polls and vote for another term of the status quo corruption and crap."
With all due respect to Larry, he rolled out a good deal of his own rope. And if he's what he claims to be about, he'll learn and come back stronger. The political climate is sad to say the least but to say that it can't be rectified I just don't get and yeh I know people have for long before my time tried to clean it up but the time has come. Look at the candidates. not one with a plan or a clue. It's about REAL action. Getting out, getting people registered to vote and really feel that they can have an impact. look at the 25th. how may people came out not even 600? Where they MOST need to have some say in local government.
"While you have decided against staying in the area, how would you have liked to see the city change to morph into your vision of what could have been? How does one break their hometown free from the same old East Utica, backroom bullshit politics that have ruled the city for eons? Kind of overwhelming isn't it? And to think that I still have this burning desire to come back there to live. It IS my hometown and the place where I was born and where I want to take my last breath."
By doing it instead of bitching about it. I really believe that the change that can happen here can be unreal in 10 years time. In fact, I'd actually PREFER to stay here and be a part of it. I've just talked about some basic stuff here. Ec dev but can def impact the local social climate. I actually see this becoming a place that actually COULD attract the types of things that put really put us over the top. We need to start with some of the basics.
Overwhelming? Sometimes but I find watching this city die to be more so.
And for some reason unbeknown to me, I am very attracted to this city.
Positivity like it's counterpart can be contagious and infectious. A real start could really grow.
And Clipper, I've got some great studies and models that demonstrate the economic bennies of local business without the need to push out big box as well as some interesting info on ag that we ignore. We're talking about 100's of millions of dollars into the local economy and thousands of jobs. It all starts with those in office blocking the way. It goes far beyond just downtown and Utica itself out into the county. It's not just retail and restaurants.
"how would you have liked to see the city change to morph into your vision of what could have been?"
Big one so I saved it for last.
The biggest thing I'd like to see change is the attitude. The despair and the hopelessness. All of these issues I feel are interdependent. I'd like to see a community that welcomes and fosters new ideas and opportunity. Supported at every level. From local government to the people. I'd like to see people in office that have a clue as to what they're doing. People that really care about the PEOPLE. A community with pride and where people are proud to be from. A community that celebrates it's cultural diversity. I'd like to see better health care options. Excuse the randomness, I'm in one of those hurries again
I'd like to see people thrive instead of just survive. I'd like to see far greater opp in agriculture and put quality healthy food on everybody's plate, esp in the inner city. I'd like to see people openly greet one another and actually acknowledge on another with a simple smile as they pass. A community in which people are motivated to follow through on their goals and hopes because they might be met with success instead of criticism and negativity. I'd like to see some good bands, see a better choice of shows. A community that has better opportunity for it's at risk youth. A community that fosters cooperation. A community with a stronger sense of community. A consolidation of services and redundancies. Smaller more effective government. Some serious tax reworking....I'll be back.
OMG! Clippitis IS contagious! 
Now, Rod has it. ;D
