3 months ago
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Comments for City Council on Downtown Improvement
I am making a heading for the city council area because Donna Moore is trying hard to get some feedback for the needs of the city and wants of the citizens for the downtown under other blog headings and I think that is a good idea. I am afraid and comments or feedback she gets will get lost in shuffle. There should be an area for City issues you would like the council to deal with and address concerning the downtown.
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About Me
- Chief Highknocker
- You aren't local until you have at least three generations in the cemetery.
19 comments:
Downtown needs more flowers, no weeds growing on sidewalks, bike racks, less real estate fronts, turn the little homes within a few blocks of the downtown into unique shops. No more rental for riff-raff. I do not use the downtown because nothing is there. Lower rates on shop rental. People in Princeton can still rent shops for 150.00 to 350.00 mo. Even if there was a junk shop it would be nice.
I think unique is the key. Look at other tourist areas with thriving downtowns and see what they're selling. Shops that would have something that appeals to everyone would be nice - books, gems, unique toys, unique clothing, specialty foods, etc. A lot of shops in tourist areas stay open in the evenings too, during prime times, so that after people have their fun during the day they can walk around and shop in the evening.
One issue that the city of Green Lake must address is the safety issue of the raised sidewalk between the historical society and the Little Corporal. Originally these raised sidewalks had protective railings. The fact is that it is downright dangerous without railings. I get a vertigo when I walk along that side of the street.
Putting up new railings would be more practical than lowering the sidewalk (which sounds nearly impossible). Ideally, a level sidewalk would be better. But perhaps a decorative (artsy), custom-made railing would look very quaint and charming.
Face it, one fall and one lawsuit could wipe out the city budget. A yellow painted edge does not help prevent a fall. Railings would prevent such an occurrence and protect the safety of both locals and visitors. I believe that Ripon still has their railings along their raised side-walks.
I have a terrific idea for vitalizing downtown Green Lake! Legalize the use of Golf Carts for transportation within the city limits. This is the NEW trend in small towns, and contributes to the protection of the environment by saving gasoline and reducing emissions. Green Lake would be PERFECT for such a plan, as we are Golf City, Wisconsin!
Can't you just see it? It would enhance Green Lake's image and attract tourists in droves. There could even be a golf-cart rental station for tourist use. Talk about trendy!
THE very best thing that Green Lake can do to improve the downtown and secure the future of the city is to GO GREEN. If Green Lake were to go totally GREEN, we would be the first city in Wisconsin to do so and become an example for the rest of the nation. There would be a constant influx of visitors arriving here to see how we achieved a Green city and to learn how they can do the same.
I love the golf cart idea. It would make it very senior friendly. At the same time it would be great to see some sort of skate boarding area for the younger set. This town seems to be very anti-teen. Give them an area of their own.
While we are going at it, if the new court house goes through why shouldn't we be seeing what the green possibilities would be for that. I would hate to see that court house happen though. I think that is just the reason McGonnigle stays on the bench is because he wants it and keeps pushing for it.
I have to agree with you on the Courthouse issue. We truly don't need it, and the very idea of it is a grotesquely materialistic delusion of grandeur. There is enough space in the present Courthouse, we should invest the money into renovating as needed. I have heard there is a lot of unused space in the newer half of the building. It surely seems that it is Judge McM who wants a new courthouse and is hell-bent on getting it.
Green Lake County has a small population and a relatively low crime rate. Even if we look ahead to the future, I cannot see that an expensive new courthouse is warranted.
I was disheartened to read in the paper last week that the city has no intention of re-surfacing the parking lot behind the tennis courts downtown. This was mentioned in the article regarding the use of the parking lot on Lake and South for boat parking etc.
That whole area by the tennis courts is a huge detraction to the city, when it should be just the opposite. That parking lot is well utilized during school sporting events and could also be used for boat parking if needed. There are so many pot-holes, I think more potholes than asphalt at this point. It is dangerous, and the city should know from experience that people who trip and fall in potholes tend to try to sue the city. Not only is it dangerous, it is ugly! And people wonder why tourism in Green Lake is way down.
I realize the city has a budget to operate on, but taking care of a city owned parking lot sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Also, I hope that the idea of putting a Golf Museum in the old city maintenance building has been put to rest. It would be a terrible spot for such an attraction, and the recent flooding would hopefully enlighten us to the notion putting any type of enclosed structure in that area, ever. An open pavilion back there would be very nice, however.
Despite the fear-of-change attitude of most Green Lake residents, a new courthouse is sorely needed.
It makes no financial sense to pour money into a dilapidated, run-down building when it’s more cost-effective to build new. The county’s professional cost comparisons are very clear on this.
Our current land-locked facility needs vast upgrades and expansion to meet the county’s needs. It simply can’t be done downtown.
People who want to stay downtown use several “studies” to support their position. Funny how they’re rather vague about who organized these studies, who funded them, how they were conducted, and the agenda behind them. Beware.
With certain people bent on staying downtown despite all the professional evidence to the contrary, it’s no surprise that the County A naysayers have resorted to questionable “studies” that weren’t even conducted in or by this county.
In addition to Potter Lawson, the county has had three previous architectural firms, all hired with majority votes, so there can be no claims that only a few board members wanted them. Then, the county independently reviewed the square-footage needs this summer, and the results were over 94 percent agreeable to what Potter Lawson had been saying all along.
Despite that, the County A opponents have been trying to slash and downplay the space needs because they know there’s not sufficient room downtown to accommodate the true needs efficiently.
Let’s be painfully honest. The Green Lake County Board is incompetent — utterly incompetent. Our taxes have funded a decade of go-nowhere discussion and research, and our taxes have provided the salaries of nearly two dozen board members responsible for it. Many are afraid to make the right decision of building on County A because of the hysteria that will follow.
I say leaders should make the best decision, not necessarily the popular one. Let’s not be shortsighted by dressing up a shabby courthouse just because it’s popular. Most citizens don’t understand the gravity of the space/security problem, so of course they support keeping the courthouse.
The best decision with the most long-term benefit is County A. Here’s why. According to the analysis of our hired professionals, it’s less expensive in the long run, and we wouldn’t be confined to limited space in the future. Downtown parking is already tight. How, exactly, would we expand the parking if we build there? And how could the downtown facilities grow without being ugly, crammed, mismatched and inefficient?
Several people have emphatically denied the professionals’ research but have failed to prove wrongdoing or bias. Let’s hope the board will finally do the right thing and end this decade-long mess.
Green Lake really needs a dog park! This would be a fenced in area where dogs can run and play with each other. How about using some of the area by the tennis courts/ city maintenance buildings for a this?
Also, I agree with the earlier post that there is little to do for the teens in Green Lake. Any other ideas besides a skateboarding park? It seems to me there would be a liability issue as skateboarding is a high risk activity. What have other cities done for their teens?
I suppose the YMCA would be helpful in giving our youth something to do.
All these comments on downtown are very interesting.. lower shop rental especially. I suppose that would be possible if the buildings themselves weren't overpriced to begin with.. are the owners supposed to take a loss on rent?
A thriving downtown would be nice, but for that you need people. Without jobs here, no one lives here due to the high price of commuting to other communities for work. People here don't want development, yet that's the only thing that will bring jobs, so make up your mind and get ready to pay lots of taxes for all these wonderful beautification ideas.
Golf carts in downtown... hummmm, very interesting - but where are you going to go? And, are you ready to dodge all the big trucks with boat trailers, not to mention lost tourists driving around, eeeeek, talk about law suits!
We have stores in town that offer unique items: clothing, books, gems, unique toys, specialty foods etc.... no one shops there. Especially the locals.. how are these business supposed to make it through the winter months without the tourists. It's as if the people of Green Lake think that they are owed all of these amenities... it just doesn't work that way. You can't just say 'I want this and that' it has to be financially feasable for the investors too, not just a goody good feeling for all the folks in town!
As for the courthouse, I for one would like to see all these Huber people walking around downtown, dealing drugs right out in the open, GONE from our neighborhoods. Restore the old courthouse by demolishing the ugly addition and move onto something new! The courthouse and prison should be located away from town... just my humble opinion (s).
Oh and I would like to comment on the 'Emminent Domain' issue going on right here in Green Lake... does no one care about that??
Come on, this is America... Is our City Council losing their minds? My message to the City Council is... you gotta lot of nerve... unfortunately us 'Citizens' so far, are just rolling over and letting you 'take over'. I think this is the wrong precident to send, and all you folks living here who think it can't happen to you... think again! Okay - that's it for now. Whew, got a little hot under the collar on that one!
What emminent domain issue? I have not heard about this.
Check Green Lake Reporter Thursday, August 14, Page 5: Headline reads 'Council moves toward park land purchase, paragraph 5 "According to the resolution, the city may acquire some of the lands by condemnation if applicable". 'Condemnation = A judicial or administrative proceeding to exercise the power of eminent domain.
Now check out the Green Lake Reporter, Thursday, August 21, Page 5 in box: Resolution No. 654-08.8 Resolution for Necessity Regarding Purchase of Land for Park Purposes. Note the "if neccessary" which means if the people who own the land refuse to sell to the city the city will then condemn and take it by eminent domain. Now turn to Page 16: City of Green Lake Agreement for reimbursement Services and costs by Petitioner/Applicant Property owner.... 'closed session'...'open session'....Resolution of Necessity Regarding Purchase of Land for Park Purposes....
Now even if the land/property owners are amenable to selling - if they weren't, this Resolution would condemn the property and the city would then take it by Eminent Domain... what do you think of that???
I think it spells out pretty clearly the sort of City Council we now have, including the Mayor. So some of these people who are endorsing Winn Collins are the same people who are taking our rights away from us - right under our noses.
I hate to get political about this but... Think about this when voting for the new D.A. I'm voting for the American Veteran "Ceman" and not Doyle's man! Hopefully he won't be the "Winn...er" HA!
Regarding the legalized use of golf carts in Green Lake, here is a recent Associated Press article dated August 6th, 2008:
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Dozens of communities in Wisconsin and nationwide are responding to $4-a-gallon gasoline by allowing souped-up golf carts to run on their roads.
The so-called neighborhood electric vehicles typically go no faster than 25 miles per hour and must be recharged after 35 miles.
At least 40 Wisconsin communities, including Milwaukee and Madison, permit the vehicles on their roads, and more are considering it.
The state Department of Transportation says 59 vehicles have been registered since it started issuing plates for them in December.
Milwaukee Alderman Tony Zielinski sponsored his city's 6-month-old ordinance, which also encourages department heads to buy the electric carts for official use. Zielinski says one department has already bought one and is using it for such things as monitoring a parking ramp.
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Upon reading other similar articles, I see that even local Police forces are beginning to purchase golf carts for local patrolling. This is the wave of the future and I think that Green Lake should join in! They certainly are less dangerous than an automobile, and available in either gas powered or electric models.
Some cities in Arizona have more golf carts on the streets than cars. Green Lake is a nice, laid back little city. It would be perfect for golf carts!
Oh, I love the souped up golf cart idea!!!! Except for the police... what if they had to take chase. Well, that could be sort of humorous, would probably win something on America's Funniest Videos. And, I still think it would be a safety issue with the Marina in town.... but even so, for the general public and city workers I like it! Are you a golf cart salesperson, cause if so... you sold me!
Also, I did like the Dog Park idea. It's so strange that all the parks around here have "no dogs" signs. I don't have a dog, but it just isn't right! Hip, hip for the dogs of Green Lake - lets start a grass roots movement and get er done!
I want a dog park!
I dog park would be fantastic for Green Lake, it wouldn't have to be huge, just a fenced in area where the dogs can play together. Out-of-towners are used to dog parks in the upscale communities where they live, and would surely appreciate one here in vacationland.
One improvement that is an absolute must (in my opinion) for downtown Green Lake is to replace the rickety old bridge behind the chamber with a safer, more attractive bridge. Also, the bridge with the flowerboxes in the park needs repair, or better yet re-designing. The entries are too steep, and it is difficult for older folks to maneuver. At the very least, it needs repair and some grip tape as the boards are very slippery if you have no tread on your shoes. At the art fair, I saw an older woman slipping as she exited the bridge as she had a flat soled shoe, she nearly fell. The person with her literally caught her as she was falling.
Also, I must agree with the previous post about the Huber people walking around downtown. The jail lets these people out to perform "community service" and for the most part they are unsupervised. How moronic. I have seen them at festival just standing around when there is litter on the ground and overflowing garbage cans. Nobody in supervising them, and since they are in the jail for breaking the law, I would prefer that they are not wandering around downtown. I am all for putting them to work if they have immediate, constant supervision.
This is a note to property owners in Green Lake's downtown. Store owners complain about the lack of business! Have you seriously looked at your store fronts? Weeds growing on your sidewalks, paint chipped, carpeting torn, cobwebs everywhere. That really makes me want to do business there. The sub shop is full of spider webs and doo-doo around the front door. Do I want food from that store? No way. Two Chez is not open very often even with their new liquor license. The gem shop has a poor looking front entrance and the hardware shop is hardly ever open. Stores put their garbage out on the sidewalks. That is not supposed to happen. Commerical businesses are to have their own waste containers in the back of their establishments.
Come on store owners, have pride in your property and make people want to come into your shops. It is time to stand in front of your place and see what the general public sees.
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