I believe the city is looking into some of these things, including a facade improvement program, but you chose to only complain about the "redevelopment" issue of the city buying properties. Specifically what other communities and what have they done that you would like Streator to do?
I complain about them purchasing properties for several reasons. I don't think they should be in the real estate business, we can't afford to have more properties taken off the tax rolls, and they don't take care of property that they have now.
It is good that they are looking into a facade improvement program now, but I think they should have been doing things like that before making it so difficult on other building owners.
I received a nice glossy flyer from the City of LaSalle inviting me to tour their downtown with their Mayor and Economic Development Director and look at their available properties. They displayed a very friendly business attitude and a commitment to growth; each time I go there I see more progress. I think Streator should show more of a business friendly attitude, should market our available properties, and be proactive in trying to attract more business here.
Ottawa, LaSalle, and Pontiac have all indicated that they would allow an Aquaponics facility in their commercial areas, and have not put extreme restrictions on use. I think our City should not give out restrictions that go against our laws and should be more open minded about uses for our vacant buildings.
I believe that all three of those communities have better enforcement of their laws and have created an environment that is conducive to businesses other than bars. When I was at the Pontiac council meeting to watch them approve an Aquaponics facility(in a business district not industrial), in their other business the were very concerned about a bar propping their door open, they felt that being able to see people drinking was not the image that they wanted for their downtown. When I toured properties in downtown LaSalle, I talked with a resident that lives above a store who told me that there used to be many problems surrounding the bars, but that their Mayor had taken a hard stance against them and it is not much of a problem any more. I am in downtown Ottawa many weekend nights and have not seen the fights, public urination, etc. that I see here. I think Streator should start enforcing our laws better to create a better environment that will make people more comfortable to live and come spend money in our downtown.
My job takes me to Panama City Beach Florida from time to time. There is a large power center being built across from the Pier Park Mall with many big box stores and there is a lot of other development going on there as well. Business really seems to be thriving and growing. I see many brightly colored buildings, large signs, and attention getting devices. I think Streator should stop talking about adding more restrictions on businesses such as the design regulations being discussed. I also think that Streator should loosen up its sign ordinance to allow more and bigger signage and allow attention getting devices to allow businesses to do what they feel is necessary to make as much money as they possibly can.
I hope that answers your question, but you never answered mine.
Do you think the reason there are so many vacant buildings here is because the owners are on high horses and asking too much for them, or could there be other underlying issues?
Even if the buildings were fixed up and free, wouldn't there still be many other expenses to operate the businesses and wouldn't they need to have more money being spent here to keep them from being empty again?
Wouldn't having a growing instead of declining population create more money being spent here to help keep them occupied?
With our per capita retail spending being so low(about half that of other nearby similar sized communities), wouldn't having more jobs here to put money in people's pockets to spend in the businesses help keep them from being vacant again?
Considering the lack of enforcement of our laws creating an environment that keeps some people from coming to downtown Streator to spend their money, wouldn't a better environment for businesses other than bars help keep them occupied?
The main question is, do you really think that forcing the building owners to dump their properties without dealing with the underlying issues will solve the vacancy problem in the long term?