Comments on: The New Face of Downtown http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/ Fine Coastal Living Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:50:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: John Stike http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-25 John Stike Thu, 07 Jun 2007 16:48:43 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-25 Thanks for helping spread the word! Wilmington needs to be informed about the changes and improvements coming to downtown. We certainly think that the riverfront is a good choice, however it remains to be seen if that will be the final selection. Thanks for helping spread the word! Wilmington needs to be informed about the changes and improvements coming to downtown. We certainly think that the riverfront is a good choice, however it remains to be seen if that will be the final selection.

]]> By: Melody http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-27 Melody Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:14:35 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-27 Sam Scott recently wrote a great piece on the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS/70607001/1050/currents&template=currents" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">lack of love for live music in Wilmington</a>. I personally think our selection of venues is the problem. If Dave Matthews were to come to town, where would he play? The university? The airport?? Neither seems fitting. Perhaps a performing arts center is just what live music in Wilmington needs. Sam Scott recently wrote a great piece on the lack of love for live music in Wilmington. I personally think our selection of venues is the problem. If Dave Matthews were to come to town, where would he play? The university? The airport?? Neither seems fitting. Perhaps a performing arts center is just what live music in Wilmington needs.

]]> By: Angela http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-28 Angela Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:49:48 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-28 Who is ARCH? Who is ARCH?

]]> By: John Stike http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-29 John Stike Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:51:53 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-29 ARCH, <a href="http://www.archwilmington.org" rel="nofollow">Alliance For a Regional Concert Hall</a>, is a group that primarily started in early 1997 as a group mostly associated somehow with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. Most of us were present or former members of the Board of Directors of WSO. We all were acutely aware that there is no suitable concert hall in Wilmington. No space is large enough, acoustically suitable, or has a large enough stage to accommodate a full orchestra. As the idea matured, other performing entities began to approach ARCH about joining the effort. Since the requirements of orchestral music, opera, rock music, Broadway shows, dance, and other staged events are vastly different, we knew that a concert hall is too limited for our needs. Knowing that the project would be a huge undertaking, we compromised and evolved the notion into a performance hall rather than a pure concert hall. This conclusion was reached after architects and consultants assured ARCH that our original goal for acoustically superior orchestral music could be met with a multi use room. In order to do this, however, the cost of the building would far exceed the cost of a pure concert hall because the stage, rigging, stagehouse, orchestra pit,amplification and projection requirements add lots of equipment to the project. This, however, is less money in the long run than building multiple halls. The ARCH Board is now a broad mix of people from various arts backgrounds. We are committed to bring this resource to Wilmington to fill the void we have in facilities of the size and quality we believe Wilmington needs now and in the future as we grow so rapidly. The arts deserve a home that will be a signature project for SENC. It needs to reflect Wilmington's reputation as a cultural center and be the "Sydney" of the east coast. ]]> By: Eric http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-30 Eric Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:17:45 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-30 what i would like to see is some relevant shopping downtown. i realize that the shop selling trinkets and cape fear maps has been there a while, but if we were able to bring in stores that residents actually want to shop at, we would see a huge revitalization. The same thing happened in my hometown.. and although the old farts didn't want to see it happen, the downtown integrated a Borders Books, Gap, Polo, (insert any store you see at Mayfaire) etc., and the economy has gone crazy. And of course the shops would need to maintain the look and feel of the area. But it sure seems that there are enough vacant storefronts down there to accommodate. Something has to happen. Im not sure how much more hand made fudge and glass blown figurines i'll be able to purchase this year. what i would like to see is some relevant shopping downtown. i realize that the shop selling trinkets and cape fear maps has been there a while, but if we were able to bring in stores that residents actually want to shop at, we would see a huge revitalization. The same thing happened in my hometown.. and although the old farts didn’t want to see it happen, the downtown integrated a Borders Books, Gap, Polo, (insert any store you see at Mayfaire) etc., and the economy has gone crazy. And of course the shops would need to maintain the look and feel of the area. But it sure seems that there are enough vacant storefronts down there to accommodate. Something has to happen. Im not sure how much more hand made fudge and glass blown figurines i’ll be able to purchase this year.

]]> By: Bob http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-31 Bob Fri, 15 Jun 2007 21:59:02 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-31 Great news! Hopefully the DARE people will not fight this one and will look into the future beyond what the traditional way of doing business is. The odds however are against the completion of this project since the city government tends to fight forward thinking and is not pro-growth. I think the plan for a Performing Arts Center or Coliseum would be awesome for venues ranging from regional gymnastics, cheerleading and indoor soccer or lacrosse competitions not to mention semi-pro or minor league basketball teams and special events like concerts and art shows, etc. Great news! Hopefully the DARE people will not fight this one and will look into the future beyond what the traditional way of doing business is. The odds however are against the completion of this project since the city government tends to fight forward thinking and is not pro-growth. I think the plan for a Performing Arts Center or Coliseum would be awesome for venues ranging from regional gymnastics, cheerleading and indoor soccer or lacrosse competitions not to mention semi-pro or minor league basketball teams and special events like concerts and art shows, etc.

]]> By: Mike http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-33 Mike Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:34:20 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-33 The old farts as you put it, are probably concerned with the tax base, and appreciation of same. There is a cost associated with everything and believe it or note, the old farts are the ones that have to pay it, while the "youngsters" complain and want more. Just pure finance... The old farts as you put it, are probably concerned with the tax base, and appreciation of same. There is a cost associated with everything and believe it or note, the old farts are the ones that have to pay it, while the “youngsters” complain and want more. Just pure finance…

]]> By: Sarah http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-34 Sarah Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:42:36 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-34 20 years ago my hometown revitalized the historic downtown/waterfront and they had to overcome similar issues. It was made into a boutique shopping district with reataurants/bars/venues/businesses. The tourism it brings in today is astounding...all year round! Especially around holidays/summertime (we are also coastal). The Chamber of Commerce works very hard year round to plan and promote festivals, farmers markets, free concerts...you name it they've tried it! Most importantly the city has maintained its historic charm and character...20 years ago this small city was in really rough shape and it could've easily stayed that way...now it is one of the nicest places to live, work and visit. When I visited Wilmington just last month I got the same feeling about your port city...it has incredible potential and looks to me like you are well on your way...it won't happen overnight but inspired vision and good planning...sensitive to the needs of people who live there will eventually pan out... 20 years ago my hometown revitalized the historic downtown/waterfront and they had to overcome similar issues. It was made into a boutique shopping district with reataurants/bars/venues/businesses. The tourism it brings in today is astounding…all year round! Especially around holidays/summertime (we are also coastal). The Chamber of Commerce works very hard year round to plan and promote festivals, farmers markets, free concerts…you name it they’ve tried it! Most importantly the city has maintained its historic charm and character…20 years ago this small city was in really rough shape and it could’ve easily stayed that way…now it is one of the nicest places to live, work and visit.

When I visited Wilmington just last month I got the same feeling about your port city…it has incredible potential and looks to me like you are well on your way…it won’t happen overnight but inspired vision and good planning…sensitive to the needs of people who live there will eventually pan out…

]]> By: CB http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-35 CB Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:04:03 +0000 http://www.finecoastalliving.com/blog/the-new-face-of-downtown/#comment-35 Great discussion! I'm neither an economics major nor an old fart, but I am a homeowner and do pay taxes. While I see the truth in the concept that there would be a monetary cost associated with the re-development of the downtown area, the business person in me also sees that this is a longterm investment that will pay great dividends. At this point I personally know a good number of people that won't even go to the downtown area in the evenings because they don't feel safe. I think it would be great to get that area re-developed, more safe and with a larger business tax base contributing to the revenues of our City. Mike, how is it that only the old farts are paying for everything the "youngsters" like me aren't, even though I'm a homeowner, business owner and pay taxes (lots of them)? Great discussion! I’m neither an economics major nor an old fart, but I am a homeowner and do pay taxes. While I see the truth in the concept that there would be a monetary cost associated with the re-development of the downtown area, the business person in me also sees that this is a longterm investment that will pay great dividends. At this point I personally know a good number of people that won’t even go to the downtown area in the evenings because they don’t feel safe. I think it would be great to get that area re-developed, more safe and with a larger business tax base contributing to the revenues of our City.

Mike, how is it that only the old farts are paying for everything the “youngsters” like me aren’t, even though I’m a homeowner, business owner and pay taxes (lots of them)?

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