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Post by Clipper on Apr 29, 2011 13:22:41 GMT -5
The city of Greensboro NC has an amazing downtown. All it takes is progressive minds, COMMON SENSE AND COOPERATION! Our friend Kim posted this link on face book this morning. I have been there. It is a beautiful city and WAS a decaying urban slum 10 years ago. Wake up Utica. It's not about a round about or a stadium on a carcinogen loaded brownfield. It is about first of all, working together on a REALISTIC plan, and secondly funding and moving forward to complete such a project. I sadly cannot see Uticans working together long enough to accomplish this sort of progress and improvement. Too much political infighting and lack of ability to work together to get something of that magnitude done. Incidentally, while Uticans all bitch about the refugee population and minority population, Greensboro has a huge Mexican population, and a large variety of all the other minority nationalities also. It's a matter of working TOGETHER instead of working AGAINST EACH OTHER to accomplish a common goal. www.thrivedowntown.com/downtown-greenville-sc/ |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2011 15:17:20 GMT -5
You are so right Clipper. That is a great downtown. Wouldn't mind living there. I am tired of the slummy look around here. It is like no one care's anymore. Anything new that opens up here is either a place to eat or a place to drink. A new ice cream place openned on Genesee St in North Utica and another night club openned on Bleecker St. across from Historic St. John's Church.. along with a combination coffee bar- karati place?
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Post by Clipper on Apr 29, 2011 15:29:27 GMT -5
Are you talking about "Nicky Doodles" or something like that? I read about that in the OD or on the UDN page the other day. I have been to the one in Rome and their food AND their ice cream is to die for. My ideal night on the town would be a chili dog from the Patio, a dairy orange from Voss's, and ice cream from Nicky Doodle's for dessert, haha.
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Post by JGRobinson on Apr 29, 2011 16:00:45 GMT -5
The Nickie Doodles in Verona by the TS does a gang buster business. That is a mini economic corridor even if you leave out the OIN Ventures, 3 hotels with a 4th under construction, a sports bar, A Package Store and a few other have popped up within the last 7 years. Joel's is packing them in and very few businesses have closed there doors in the Oneida, Verona, Vernon area.
Hamilton has seen even greater growth thanks to Colgate Universities Investment in the Village and the efforts of many businesses trying to serve the needs of the customers they way they wish to be served.
Both of these areas piggyback off a mother-ship, Utica has yet to Identify their Benefactors or magnetic charm, the harbor brings people with money through Utica, what will make them stop and stay for more than a hat dog and fuel?
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Post by bobbbiez on Apr 29, 2011 19:57:04 GMT -5
Both of these areas piggyback off a mother-ship, Utica has yet to Identify their Benefactors or magnetic charm, the harbor brings people with money through Utica, what will make them stop and stay for more than a hat dog and fuel? Boy JG, with all the great restaurants and cafes in Utica I don't know how much more Utica could do in the field of foods to attract people. Really don't think that is a problem. I don't hear anyone bi*ching about the refugees coming to Utica. If anything our Bosnia refugees are working very hard to clean up and revitalize our neighborhoods. It's unbelievable what they have done with dumps they bought in my area. These dumps now look like palaces. It's the ones who live here that are the big problem, not the refugees. I only wish those would take what the Bosnia refugees are doing as an example and take pride in their areas but they don't. My God, they can't even bend down to pick up a piece of paper which they themselves threw on the ground. Being poor or under-privilege doesn't mean one has to be dirty or lazy, but that's what we're dealing with. Nothing will ever change unless those change their ways and pitch in to help make this city attractive and clean. It is pretty sad and disgusting to see this all around you and the people doing their more then their share are throwing up their arms, giving up and moving out.  Politics is one thing but has nothing to do with people not taking pride in the community they live in.  |
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Post by JGRobinson on Apr 29, 2011 20:28:35 GMT -5
BZ, I don't deny the Food is awesome, The "Utica that Was" had all the Vibrancy and Culture to go with the great food. Corn Hill is seeing a revitalization because of the newcomers not in spite of them. I just haven't seen the concerted effort needed to make the city a vacation destination or a relocation option for anyone but refugee's. So much of it looks like hell, deserted, half falling down and Slumlord Hotels. I wouldn't feel safe walking alone downtown or Corn Hill without a piece anytime after 9:00 pm. BZ, I think thats one of the reasons your "Soon to be in Marcy", it will cost you more but you probably will sleep a bit better, I hear there is less Piss burned grass in Marcy!
I think a creative approach combining and coordinating resources and activities regionally (Utica, Rome, Marcy, Verona, Oneida) would benefit Utica much greater in the long run than trying to go it alone as they have for way too long.
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Post by bobbbiez on Apr 30, 2011 2:20:18 GMT -5
BZ, I think thats one of the reasons your "Soon to be in Marcy", it will cost you more but you probably will sleep a bit better, I hear there is less Piss burned grass in Marcy!  Actually, the move was decided because I got tired of not being able to relax in my own home without music blaring, dogs barking, parties going on morning, noon, and night and not being able to sit on my front porch or my deck in the back yard with my grandchildren without hearing the "f" word constantly by the scumbags who lived around me. There was no peace ever. Not to mention RJ and I had to patrol my street every single day picking up everyone's garbage if we didn't want it to look like we lived at the city dump. It was pretty damn disgusting and embarrassing when we got visitors at our home.  Guess what, JG. Our taxes here in Marcy are cheaper then what I'm paying in Utica and we have more services and better. Don't even have to buy any more blue bags for our garbage. Can use any plastic bags, any color. Those are the reasons we chose Marcy. Plus, it's very obvious the people who live here take great pride in their area and it shows. I left the jungle and I love living back in civilization again. |
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Post by bobbbiez on Apr 30, 2011 2:28:38 GMT -5
I think a creative approach combining and coordinating resources and activities regionally (Utica, Rome, Marcy, Verona, Oneida) would benefit Utica much greater in the long run than trying to go it alone as they have for way too long. I fully agree with you but I know I have a better chance of meeting my maker before that happens. At least, won't see that happening in my life time. Sounds good but do you really believe any one of the areas you mentioned would ever go for that? I think not. |
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Post by JGRobinson on Apr 30, 2011 5:57:44 GMT -5
BZ, I do think we identify with our region much more than we do our Town, Village or City for the Most part (New Hartford, Sherrill and Whitesboro are exceptions to this rule). Few know or have ever heard of any of our singular locations in them selves. We generally call ourselves Up-Staters or tell out of staters were from CNY.
I guarantee if you asked Ray Halbritter if he would like to see Utica Harbor visitors at his Casino he would say hell yes, whats it gonna cost me? If Utica and The OIN split the cost of a premium shuttle, now you have commerce! People would park their yachts and hang around CNY for a few days spending money from the time they park to moment they putter away and telling their friends.
These are called dissimilar interest partnerships and they can work magic but we have to think larger than our little fiefdoms. Few people go anywhere for any one thing, they want choices and variety, we have both if we just start offering connectivity, access and information.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2011 10:37:18 GMT -5
Both of these areas piggyback off a mother-ship, Utica has yet to Identify their Benefactors or magnetic charm, the harbor brings people with money through Utica, what will make them stop and stay for more than a hat dog and fuel? Boy JG, with all the great restaurants and cafes in Utica I don't know how much more Utica could do in the field of foods to attract people. Really don't think that is a problem. I don't hear anyone bi*ching about the refugees coming to Utica. If anything our Bosnia refugees are working very hard to clean up and revitalize our neighborhoods. It's unbelievable what they have done with dumps they bought in my area. These dumps now look like palaces. It's the ones who live here that are the big problem, not the refugees. I only wish those would take what the Bosnia refugees are doing as an example and take pride in their areas but they don't. My God, they can't even bend down to pick up a piece of paper which they themselves threw on the ground. Being poor or under-privilege doesn't mean one has to be dirty or lazy, but that's what we're dealing with. Nothing will ever change unless those change their ways and pitch in to help make this city attractive and clean. It is pretty sad and disgusting to see this all around you and the people doing their more then their share are throwing up their arms, giving up and moving out. Politics is one thing but has nothing to do with people not taking pride in the community they live in. You are so right. It is amazing what the Bosnian people have done in neighborhoods that have good bad. My barber is from Bosnia. He bought a run down house around Mary St I think and completely gutted the place over the years and invested up to 100,000 dollars. It is up for sale now. I saw pictures of it and it is fantastic. Everything is new from electricity to plumbling to new furnace with air conditioning. |
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Post by dgriffin on Apr 30, 2011 12:01:45 GMT -5
The city of Greensboro NC has an amazing downtown. All it takes is progressive minds, COMMON SENSE AND COOPERATION! Our friend Kim posted this link on face book this morning. I have been there. It is a beautiful city and WAS a decaying urban slum 10 years ago. Wake up Utica. It's not about a round about or a stadium on a carcinogen loaded brownfield. It is about first of all, working together on a REALISTIC plan, and secondly funding and moving forward to complete such a project. I sadly cannot see Uticans working together long enough to accomplish this sort of progress and improvement. Too much political infighting and lack of ability to work together to get something of that magnitude done. Incidentally, while Uticans all bitch about the refugee population and minority population, Greensboro has a huge Mexican population, and a large variety of all the other minority nationalities also. It's a matter of working TOGETHER instead of working AGAINST EACH OTHER to accomplish a common goal. www.thrivedowntown.com/downtown-greenville-sc/Clipper, are you referring to Greensboro, NC or Greenville, SC or both? |
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Post by Clipper on Apr 30, 2011 13:20:12 GMT -5
Sorry to be vague or misleading Dave. BOTH actually. Kim was speaking of Greensboro and then posted another example in the link to Greeneville. I didn't differentiate clearly, but the point is that Southern cities are making amazing progress in reviving themselves and their downtown areas. Winston Salem has a new stadium that is packed every time the team plays at home. They have parks and lofts and restaurants downtown that draw people down there even at night and on weekends.
Asheville NC also has revitalized much of their downtown with lofts, galleries, restaurants, and tourist attractions to draw people back to the inner city to spend their money.
Here in Bristol, as well as in Kingsport Tn and Johnson City Tn, we have center city areas that have been revitalized and GOOD PLANNING has brought them back and made them desireable to visit.
Here in Bristol, our downtown business district is tree lined with antique looking street lamps, and fresh facades on the stores and restaurants.
It is strictly my opinion and observation that it seems that ORGANIZATION and COOPERATION is what has made for success here in the South. The efforts are concentrated and not fragmented all over the city. It expands slowly but successfully rather than haphazardly throwing grants and loans in one or two block areas across town and remotely located from each other.
I think that one of the reasons for more success and less political BS here in this area is that we have a "City Manager" style of government rather than the mayor running the city. The city manager is a recruited position through serious study and interviews and does not change with every change of council people or mayors. Our mayor is appointed from among the elected council persons and is mostly a honorable position more so than a position of power. Our city managers are normally found by "head hunters" that seek out the qualified individuals who are interested in interviewing for the position. Right now Bristol Tn has an outstanding city manager. He does all the hiring for fire, police, and other city positions. It does away with the political BS in hiring also.
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Post by Clipper on Apr 30, 2011 21:21:08 GMT -5
I just found that same link to Greenville SC on Larry Jrs facebook. He posted it after visiting there over Easter. Rather strange. Just seems to be more hometown pride in the South. We were recently in Lawrenceburg Tn for a women's bowling tournament. That city has preserved and restored the town square. Brick sidewalks, gardens, a clock, and all little shops and restaurants. It is much like the park in Clinton, but even more impressively landscaped and cared for. That preservation and restoration has begun to spread away from the square slowly, a building at a time and a block at a time. It is very encouraging and progressive to see people pull together to bring back the charm of their home town.
It all has to start with a plan, and organized and sensible historic preservation efforts, a master plan to keep it all together and on track, and cooperation, cooperation, cooperation. That precludes any room for political pissing contests, territorial disputes, and theft of the moneys dedicated to the projects, funneling it into politician's crony's pockets. Is that possible in Utica NY? Pretend we live in Missouri and "show me".
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Post by dgriffin on May 2, 2011 7:54:46 GMT -5
Yes, I think you're right about some cities, whether they're in the south or west, but usually not in the Northeast. I can only conclude that good old fashioned capitalism operates well where there is money to be made. But in the northeast, there is only money to be milked from the taxpayers. And that won't last long. It may be a simple matter of certain regions of the country being "profitable" and others not. Not profitable unless you're funded by a grant, anyway. |
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Post by longtimer on May 2, 2011 11:23:26 GMT -5
There can be no questioning that you need to have good plan and cooperation. The question is where does it come from. There have been several references to the Northeast, the south and the West and how well things seem to work work in the south and West but I do not find this terribly shocking. Why? Well with a few exceptions the states in the south and west have large surpluses in their federal balance of payments while those in the Northeast and Midwest, again with a couple of exceptions, have very large deficits. Interestingly the states with the surpluses generally have low or no state income taxes and very low taxes in general while those with large deficits have high taxes. What an interesting pattern.
This year NYS residents are again projected to send 55 billion dollars more to the federal government in taxes than it will get back in federal spending. Over the last decade the total is over 600 billion. If we got just a small portion of that money NYS would have far less of a budget problem than we do. Now again let me clearly state we are responsible of a large part of our mess, there can be no mistake about that and this is only part of the problem but it is real.
As an independent who usually votes for the more conservative candidates it kills me to say this also. Most of those with a surplus are red states while most with deficits are blue states. I am not looking to start another war between the states and there are other factors but somehow this sounds like a redistribution of wealth thing the conservatives are always screaming about. These same states are also always criticizing NY and California for our economic mess but perhaps, just perhaps, we should be keeping a little bit more of our money and letting them spend a little more of theirs.
We can come up with all the plans we want but if we can't finance them because we are financing everyone else's we are going to go no place fast.
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Actually, the move was decided because I got tired of not being able to relax in my own home without music blaring, dogs barking, parties going on morning, noon, and night and not being able to sit on my front porch or my deck in the back yard with my grandchildren without hearing the "f" word constantly by the scumbags who lived around me. There was no peace ever. Not to mention RJ and I had to patrol my street every single day picking up everyone's garbage if we didn't want it to look like we lived at the city dump. It was pretty damn disgusting and embarrassing when we got visitors at our home. 
