Mayoral Forum-Seventh Question
7. Is 10th Avenue South ugly? Why or why not? If so, what would you do as Mayor to improve it?
Susan Kahn:
10th Avenue is a vital business district to the state. It is congested. We have to deal with what is there. As businesses move on we have opportunity to make change through code, set back issues, architectural requirements, increase green areas and parking space to make this more attractive. One site at a time as owners sell or change is bringing about improvements.
The downtown area has an association of property owners involved with improving the area and the city supports this. I would like to see the same happen with 10th Ave. property owners.
Ed McKnight:
Some spots are ugly. Empty unmaintained buildings with dirty broken signs and parking lots. The new buildings with landscaping look very good. There are some tacky spots along the way. 10th being the main business street in the city is just reflective of the times we've been through. As the economy develops (and it will, even if we hit bumps along the way)10th will show improvement naturally. I don't know that any specific program, other than the development plans already in place, is needed. 10th is part of long range planing and it will take some time.
Larry Steele:
10th Ave has its issues but I believe it is too late to solve those issues without invading individual rights. The main issue in Great Falls that can be solved is the Downtown area. Go one or two blocks north or south of the downtown shopping area and you will see condemned buildings o rundown property. The downtown housing area project would greatly improve the downtown businesses.
6 comments:
Larry;
West of 9th Street, I think that the status of our Downtown buildings is actually pretty good. There are a number of buildings in transition, but there are very few "condemned buildings on rundown property."
Of course, there are the clapboard houses and apartments behind Hardees. What other properties are you talking about?
By the way, I would consider the 'downtown' to be West of 9th Street, and between 3rd Ave S and 3rd Ave N.
Outside of a major hurricane, not likely in Montana, it will take years to unravel the mess along 10th. One brick at a time.
Get smart and get rid of those *%#%@ parking meters as a first major step to improve our downtown.....
Ms Kahn,
Do you think the existing triggers for landscaping are sufficient? There are several lots on 10th that could easily accommodate updating but have not been changed for several decades. I believe the existing trigger is a 20% building footprint expansion or new construction.
Mr. Mcknight,
You speak of a development plan in place for 10th. What is this plan?
Wolfpack
What I am referring to is what we used to call a comprehensive plan or master plan that has now been updated and reconstituted as a Growth Policy. There is nothing that specifically addresses 10th. The policy is general and provides guidance to develop ordinances. The Land Development Code 17.16.2.020 Purpose “established to promote the public health, safety and welfare” is really not a “plan” but establishes ground rules for market forces to play out. Good point and thanks for the opportunity to update and clarify.
Ed Mcknight
Quality Leadership in City Government
THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AREA IS PARK DR TO 9TH ST AND 3RD AVE N TO 3RD AVE S BUT THE DOWN TOWN HOUSING AREA IS PARK DRIVE TO 9TH ST AND 10TH AVE S TO 9TH AVE N
LARRY H STEELE
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