“It seems a pretty dire prediction from our point of view,” said vice-chair Jim Parsons in reaction to comments by Mayor Charles Pender in Friday’s Western Star about the future of the downtown, if some sort of economic stimulation doesn’t occur.
Parsons said there are things the association would like to improve in the area. He also lists the concentration of businesses and people and vacant properties as some of the issues the area faces. But he said it is always optimistic about the direction the downtown is taking and that the association would like to work with the city to address the issues.
Pender specifically spoke of a need to redevelop Smithville — the Brook Street, Commercial Street area — as outlined in the city’s Integrated Municipal Sustainability Plan.
While he knows a concept for the area was done a few years ago, Parsons said the matter has not been discussed with the association in the last three or four years.
“This has definitely come out of the blue,” he said.
Despite the lack of communication, he said the business association would like to be involved in any discussion.
“We’re definitely for getting more people in the downtown — more residential for sure — as well as business,” he said. “Any sort of attention that economic development of the downtown gets it good.”
As for the redevelopment of Smithville, Parsons said he likes the concept, but he doesn’t know if what the city is thinking is going to attract that type of development to the area.
As a business owner in the area Sam Davis would like to see improvements, but is concerned about costs.
“I pay a premium to do business down here which I think is unfair. You’re not going to get anyone to come down here to do business if you’re going to pay less taxes somewhere else.”
The co-owner of Twin Peaks Motorsports said there’s a whole host of things the area needs, from road repairs to aging infrastructure and policing. There are also lot of buildings in the area that are rundown, and Davis said even his own could do with some improvements.
“It’s just the taxes are high; it’s hard to justify investing in here. That’s what it is. Every dollar you suck out in taxes is something I don’t have to invest.”
He’s also doubtful there would be money from the provincial or federal governments to aid in what the city is proposing.
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
“It seems a pretty dire prediction from our point of view,” said vice-chair Jim Parsons in reaction to comments by Mayor Charles Pender in Friday’s Western Star about the future of the downtown, if some sort of economic stimulation doesn’t occur.
Parsons said there are things the association would like to improve in the area. He also lists the concentration of businesses and people and vacant properties as some of the issues the area faces. But he said it is always optimistic about the direction the downtown is taking and that the association would like to work with the city to address the issues.
Pender specifically spoke of a need to redevelop Smithville — the Brook Street, Commercial Street area — as outlined in the city’s Integrated Municipal Sustainability Plan.
While he knows a concept for the area was done a few years ago, Parsons said the matter has not been discussed with the association in the last three or four years.
“This has definitely come out of the blue,” he said.
Despite the lack of communication, he said the business association would like to be involved in any discussion.
“We’re definitely for getting more people in the downtown — more residential for sure — as well as business,” he said. “Any sort of attention that economic development of the downtown gets it good.”
As for the redevelopment of Smithville, Parsons said he likes the concept, but he doesn’t know if what the city is thinking is going to attract that type of development to the area.
As a business owner in the area Sam Davis would like to see improvements, but is concerned about costs.
“I pay a premium to do business down here which I think is unfair. You’re not going to get anyone to come down here to do business if you’re going to pay less taxes somewhere else.”
The co-owner of Twin Peaks Motorsports said there’s a whole host of things the area needs, from road repairs to aging infrastructure and policing. There are also lot of buildings in the area that are rundown, and Davis said even his own could do with some improvements.
“It’s just the taxes are high; it’s hard to justify investing in here. That’s what it is. Every dollar you suck out in taxes is something I don’t have to invest.”
He’s also doubtful there would be money from the provincial or federal governments to aid in what the city is proposing.
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
