By Frank Robinson | Fountain Hills
I attended the public forum on a design for the first phase of streetscape improvements outlined in the town’s Downtown Strategy document. While I agree with some of the comments posted in the follow-up article, the question I raised at the meeting is a basic one regarding the return on the investment and was not addressed.
In my opinion, spending $10M-$12M on “sidewalks” is a big ask and is one that should be included as a final phase of an overall plan to attract and retain new business and bring in consumers to our business district. Not to get distracted, but some funding in the CIP could be used to have public restrooms on/near Avenue of The Fountains for the many fairs and events on this street.
I do believe sidewalks on Parkview are important, but if we do not have new businesses developing on empty lots and opening in vacant spaces, and without a large influx of new consumers in the downtown area, why spend the money on sidewalks?
We should be looking at ways to bring in new businesses and work on economic development plans to attract consumers from surrounding towns. Sidewalks should be a byproduct or final phase of economic development in the downtown area, not the first phase. I hope Town Council determines the streetscape initiative needs to go back for inclusion in a more comprehensive project on the downtown strategy.
Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
