the mayor finally has a good idea ..............

[growler]

Mayor Dennis Travale suggested the time has come to stop thinking about protecting “the planned function” of downtown Simcoe and think instead about ways of growing its economy.

Protecting the planned function of downtown Simcoe has been an article of faith in the town’s official plan for decades. It has been the main obstacle over the years to the wholesale development of new retail on the Queensway.

Protecting the planned function arises from a provincial policy which states that it is bad planning to allow unregulated growth on the outskirts of communities that hollows out core areas while stranding millions of dollars of expensive infrastructure such as water and sewer mains.

“The terminology should be changed to how do we grow our downtowns – not how do we `protect’ them,” Travale said. “I have some fundamental problems with the terminology.”

Now that area chambers of commerce and boards of trade have joined forces as the South Coast Coalition, Travale said this represents a prime opportunity to tap their expertise.
from the reformer:

one of the first things he has said that makes sense !
why wait 6 or 7 years to talk about it ?

[Spidubic]

May be a good idea but I want to hear how he plans to grow the downtown. No point in saying the terminology should change if he cannot back it up with at least some idea how to move forward. Downtown's can be turned around and thrive. Look at Brantford. Thing is other parts are needed in order to do it. Brantford has the casino and did a college or university not help start the rebuild in Brantford? So while Travale has perhaps a great idea, if he doe not have ways to implement it then it does not help. Norfolk needs to attract business not push it away.

[growler]

I think (?) he  means we should welcome and develop retail on the north end,and the Queensway,rather than fight it like they have for many years.
like where the super store,wal-mart, now the liquor store, etc.etc.is.
all around the airport area they tried everything they could to discourage retailers from using that land.
they took every aplication to the omb,or anything they could and gave all of our tax money to lawyers, and engineers for the last 50 years or more.
all for the old downtown retailers.
even  the downtown mall was to stop developers from locating in other spots.
just a huge waste of money and time.
never thinking about attracting employers, worrying to much about retailers.
not about buyers having any money to buy the stuff in the  stores.
putting the saddle on  the wagon rather than the harness on the horse to pull the wagon.

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