South of Sunnyside

If the plants are going to die, anyway?

Kim has already removed a couple of topiaries from the adjacent (abandoned) properties, with a promise to “take care” of them until a new owner moves in. But that was before the summer heat drained the entire landscape.

Unfortunately, our hose just doesn’t help much (though it does make some difference). After almost two months without significant water flow, the shrubs and larger plants next door are starting to die, and I can’t imagine they’ll be capable of revival when the bank finally agrees to an offer.

So, again, I ask: Is it stealing if the plants are going to die anyway?

Band of Neighbors, an alert system that distributes a voice message to neighbors in case of emergency, recently launched out of incubation, with a kickoff in Tulare.

I haven’t tested the system out, but it seems like a great idea, and one I’d like to research for our neighborhood. As I understand it, however, the system is targeted at crime and emergencies, and I wonder if our neighborhood couldn’t benefit from something a bit more broad.

For example, as I road out onto California tonight, on my way to Starbucks, I noticed four marked police cars clustered just to the right of our street (it was hard not to notice them). I have no idea why they were there; perhaps they’re targeting drivers who speed down that road. Or perhaps they were on the lookout for wire thieves. Or maybe they were just passing time waiting for a call. Whatever the reason, a simple messaging system would allow me to alert the neighbors, and/or question their knowledge of a potential situation.

Okay, so maybe that fits within the crime/emergency alert model—I’ll use another example that doesn’t involve the police. Across California Ave. was a large gathering, likely a birthday party. Several tables, dozens of chairs, and a bounce house. When events like this are planned, the host could send the neighborhood a note asking for patience with parking and noise (or inviting them to join the fun).

If this sounds complicated, it doesn’t have to.

As I’ve explained Twitter to a few people lately, I’ve noted that its purpose varies from person to person, and among different organizations. Many people post useless information, though many of their "followers" consume such information with vigor. I think that for neighborhood communication, Twitter (or FriendFeed, for that matter) could prove quite valuable.

So, any takers? You can find me here, and here.

It’s been a few weeks now, but I (purposefully) helped to escalate a discussion on MindHub regarding the possibility of Fresno acquiring a new Bass Pro store. I don’t think we can actually attract the retail giant, but if we could, I’m in favor, for several reasons; many of the MindHub elite aren’t in agreeance. Nonetheless, I challenged the assumptions that many ‘hubbers have toward Bass Pro (asking, instead, for IKEA).

At an early stage in the conversation, City Councilmember Jerry Duncan offered a comprehensive response to the discussion – I can’t take full credit for it (though I’ll take as much as I can), but I do believe this was the first MindHub discussion to provoke a response by any elected official. Jerry Duncan even posted it on the District Six website.

From his site (in case he takes it down):

February 9, 2009

What is Happening Downtown?

With the publicity of the recent closing of Fagan’s and the Old Fresno Hofbrau there has been some media and Blog discussions about the so called failure of Downtown revitalization. Nothing could be further from the truth. I received a Mindhub e-mail from someone who was asking about downtown and the impact of the proposed Bass Pro Store. In response, I wrote back and provided the writer with an overview of the progress downtown has made and the impact a Bass Pro Shop could have. Below is James e-mail and my response.

Subject: [MindHub] Bass Pro stigma

I’m wondering if some of the opposition–not all, but some–to Bass Pro downtown comes from not knowing what a Bass Pro store is, and what all they sell. Despite the implications in the name, Bass Pro is a mega-warehouse for almost any type of activity that takes place in the woods or on water. It’s not just fishing–it’s hunting, camping, bird watching, hiking, canoeing, archery and more (sorry, I started salivating…). And, as I mentioned before, they sell boats, in addition to other recreational vehicles, ATVs, etc.

Again, I’m not advocating that Bass Pro can “save” downtown, but looking at what it offers, and where it would be located, it might help bring people (and $) downtown. Downtown Fresno could be the “it” place for anyone in the Valley to shop before heading up to Sequoia or Kings Canyon, or Shaver or Bass, or the San Luis Reservoir or wherever (alright, even I laughed at that). Does it benefit artists–probably not. Would it have saved Fagan’s–no. Would it bring people downtown–probably, and they might just fit a broader demographic than what’s currently being targeted.

That’s more of my opinion than anyone cares for, but, hey, at least I’m not criticizing someone’s questions about Tower trees….

James (NOTE: this is me)

The following is my response:

I’ve read with great interest the discussion of downtown and the potential impact of possible new stores. I’d like to offer some clarification on the issue of a possible Bass Pro Shop or another major anchor store downtown and how it fits into the over all vision this Administration and many of us on the City Council have for downtown Fresno and have been working on for years.

First, we all seem to agree that downtowns biggest problem after 5 PM is the lack of people. How do you change that? It’s simply that you have things in the area that a lot of people want to see and do. Hence that is why we are looking for an anchor that is known as a “category killer”, an attraction so strong that people will find it irresistible to not stop there. Hence, Bass Pro Shop. If you’ve ever been in one you know what I mean.

Why is Bass Pro a desirable alternative? Mostly because of it’s potential to draw a huge number of tourists into the downtown area to fuel the economic rebirth of the area. When the Bass Pro Shop opened in Oklahoma City (it’s located on their river walk) it drew over 2 million visitors to downtown Oklahoma City the first year. Those are two million people that get hungry, like to spend money and need a place to sleep. Downtown Fresno’s location at the main junction of people going through Fresno to Yosemite or Kings Canyon National Park and the Sierras makes it an ideal location. That is why Bass Pro wants to be in Fresno.

If Bass Pro does end up in downtown Fresno it is important to remember that it is only a small part of the overall redevelopment concept for the master plan of 80 acres south of the stadium that Forest City wants to get involved with. The project will focus on a significant housing element, retail services, restaurants, and offices amidst pedestrian friendly garden plazas that include fountains, internet hotspots and hopefully the Mayor’s Riverwalk. The other important point is that this development will respect and support our downtown historic resources in the project area. The role of the Bass Pro shop would be to anchor a high quality retail area at the south end of the project area near the freeway.

If you’ve ever been to Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga you’ve seen a pretty good preview if what this project should be like. The big difference with ours would be the addition of over 600 units of market rate urban style homes and condominiums. See for yourself at http://www.victoriagardensie.com/index.cfm

Forest City is one of the larges redevelopers in the world. What is important to remember is that they are very good at what they do and none of their projects have ever failed to succeed. They are looking at investing $250 million dollars of their own money into downtown Fresno. They see the enormous future of this part of our City.

There is also much more to the vision of downtown revitalization than just Forest City. There is significant activity going on near the museums and the level of interest (and projects) from those interested in redeveloping this area is unprecedented since I’ve been on the Council. The Mayor is pushing for improvements on Kern Street and The Armenian Town Project near the Convention Center has started with the 5th DCA Courthouse. Steve Giel has started the renovation of the Parson Hobbs building at Tulare and H street.

Private investment in downtown Fresno is at a historic high level.

There is even talk about an Armenian Heritage Village Museum in downtown Fresno that would recreate an authentic early Fresno neighborhood during the time of William Saroyan’s youth and would include period homes, shops and give visitors the experience of Fresno in it’s earlier days.

The biggest single issue that must be still be addressed is the future of Fulton Mall. It is not successful in it’s present form and unless a significant change occurs to it, Fulton will possibly be the one reason why downtown revitalization won’t ultimately happen. One idea is to redevelop Fulton into a 30’s Gaslight District and encourage clubs, restaurants and specialty shops.

No one project or store or building can “save” downtown. It takes good ideas and lots of money and a willingness of people to get involved to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. There are some people and groups that seem intent on stopping everything good going on in downtown by making sure the City is sued on everything that happens or by constantly promoting the negative about our efforts for their own political gain.

It this going fast enough? Not a fast as we wish it would but frankly if not for the efforts of those previously mentioned we would be a lot farther along.

One last thing. Working with the support of the City Manager, I’m starting a small city task force to essentially “start over” in developing the City’s rules and policies on outdoor and sidewalk dining and beverage consumption.

Our current rules do everything possible to discourage this activity. If we are going to be a 21st century city we must do what we can to promote outdoor and sidewalk dining, not discourage it. Where is there a better place to be than enjoying a meal or a cocktail on a summer evening in Fresno?

I know of several restaurant owners you didn’t even bother to ask for a patio eating and drinking area because the City is so hard to work with.

This will be changing soon as I expect these new policies to be in front of the City Council in just a few months.

Sorry I went on so long but downtown has become a passion of mine and it’s future is very bright.