This is the block, on left.
In some of the smaller city’s..I have visited over the years I have found most of their old town centers thriving or at least achieving some degree of traffic. Their concept has been simple and straightforward. From Petersburgh, Va. to Austin, Texas. I really don’t think any of these city’s spent a great deal of time on any detailed studies of traffic or anything else. They just laid out a simple plan and went after it. We have in Alexandria several area’s to utilize. But probably the simplest place to start is the MOST overlooked location. I am not talking about the Bentley this time. Forget about that for now. It is viable, but further down the road…
We have a solid block of buildings fronting Third street that could be the seed element. They are located right across the street from the mini park. This stand of buildings are probably the oldest group of downtown buildings still standing. In other town’s this type of building is used for gift shops, Antique stores ,ice cream stands and souvenir stores. Just small impulse shops. The area’s above could be used for condo’s or live in areas for shop operators.
Tax breaks could be given to building owners and shop operators as incentives. I looked in to the purchase price of one of the buildings and it was under $200,000 which in reality if this is put forward would be cheap. Shop rent could be rather cheap when included in a live in situation or other packages could be worked out.
Combined with the riverfront park, the proposed marina, the Museum of Art and The History Museum and a few other attractions that I have thought about along with the Bentley (perhaps) and the Riverfront Center and C.S. Building you have the makings of a perfect tourist situation. Promotion as a package would be necessary along with Officials actually working together.( which would be the biggest stumbling point) when have our city elected officials actually worked together for any common good?
A little cosmetic work to the facades of the buildings to make them appear as they once did and , well the whole thing handled correctly would be fantastic. It works in other towns. Why could it not work here,,,,
SO, all you nay-sayers and positive thinkers…Give me your comments…I am sure the reasons for it to fail out weigh the reasons for it not to…OR do they???
And I have a lot more ideas , based on what I have seen over the years…if any one is even remotely interested. I have not been sitting on my duff in Alexandria all my life.
Alex
I am basing my thoughts on 25 years of travel all over the United States. I have seen this in use and it work’s.. It is commerce on a small scale…
