At the present you have several options to get the truth about what has happened so far.
You can always call Gail and she will be happy to talk with you. You can visit The Greenwood Crier News Site and we will make information
available as we receive it. You will also be able to visit an official city web site soon. Most any other route of information is
second hand and may not be true.
The Committee met the past Monday March 31st and has made progress. Gail is the
real workhorse of the committee and she is carrying a large portion of he load. The idea of a web site for public information outlet
is very important and supported by the committee. It probably will be interactive and give citizens an opportunity to give their input.
Also the old downtown park is in line for part of the project. Mark Richards, the new Director of Community Development Services,
will have his hands full in the next few month or even years. Mark is a very confident and capable person who has a large load put
on him also. He will be soliciting proposals for preliminary development of the old town park. Along with his other duties he will
be responsible for this project and the heavy workload, at this time.
Many things have to happen simultaneously
for this project to succeed. While the redevelopment committee will make their recommendations to the Mayor in June. A lot of other
things have to happen like getting storm drainage approvals, water test approvals and environment approvals. And then there are approvals
on top of approvals. Then the soliciting of bids from various developers, to handle the private sector of the project will come into
play. Although one very aggressive developer has submitted some preliminary plans, others will get their chance for the bid for the
brass ring also.
Why the term “Brass ring”? Because; this is a development that will have builders begging to get
in on it. It is a project that will add life to the city and yes the opportunity to make a lot of money.
Realistically
nothing has been decided because of the lengthy process to get the approval to do something has to come first.
Are you
confused yet? You should try writing this stuff and keeping it halfway accurate! The point is that a lot, and we mean a lot, of red
tape has to get done before anything can happen.
Then you the public citizens have to remember that nothing is set in stone, and this is your project. So the planning process has to involve everyone and address the best scenario for the entire community.
Richard Heiney at the past meeting said, “This is project that we wanted to do thirty years ago, when I was on the Planning commission”,
referring to the widening of Main St. Mr. Heiney is a large supporter of a The Farmers Market. It was wanted then, now it
has become a necessity. This city has to do this if we are to survive and grow.
This project is for the citizens to have
a vibrant downtown, one that will help the economy. This is a project that will help raise the quality of life here in Greenwood.
It will help attract the “right kind” of businesses that pay well. Then that will attract the “right kind” of people who value their
jobs and community. And each and every citizen can have a nice place to go and shop, eat or just gather with friends. It will add
life to a dying area. It will give beauty to an ageing district that needs some help to preserve property values. Only positive things
can be the product of such a critical project.
This is a project that is not just wanted any longer, it is a project
that is required if we are to survive as a quality city and attract the business that we are capable of bringing here.
This is a must………..“If you build it, they will come”
Downtown Redevelopment Forging Ahead
