Want a new and improved Shoals? Let's talk.

quote:

Originally posted by vick13:
I am so proud of you guys. You're actually doing something about all this. Good for you! I wish I could be at the meeting to just watch you go!

What did I overlook, why can't you be there?

I may or not be able to attend depending on what week it happens as I am home every 5th week.(I weak every 5th too)

I'm sorry but I have to post this url. I was looking around om the City of Florence's website and this is what I found as their "strategic plan": http://www.florenceal.org/City_Resources/Strategic_Plan/index.html

explains so much

LMAO! Let's just take their blank slate and start scribbling.

I'm definitely interested!

I'll adjust my schedule as necessary to make this meeting once I get a definite time and place...

I wonder how our strategic plan will compare with the city's? LOL!

I would like to see everyone get on the same page in our cities and counties. Seems like we get a lot of money appropriated for studies, etc., but nothing ever comes of it. I'm sure if everyone worked towards a common goal instead of working in several different directions.

I would like to attend this meeting, count me in.

Great topic. I have had many of these same ideas and many discussions/*****fests with whomever would listen.

There are so many examples of other cities that have capitalized on their resources to attract people and business. People are starting to move here from all over, but it may be in spite of anything that is being done rather than because of it. One big draw is our cost of living, which is also one of the factors that has kept me here.

It still all comes back to jobs in one way or another. We have to have the jobs that will attract more people to the area, and more importantly, keep us from losing all of our children to the cities. I have 4 and none of them live here.

We can build all of the cute shops, music venues and ethnic restaurants, but you have to have the numbers that will support them. Look at the places that have opened and closed over the years- some were exactly the types of businesses that we are talking about here. But unless they have the financial support, they cannot survive. We are still an area where the majority is very content to shop at WalMart, eat at Olive Garden or whatever the newest chain is in town, and stay home and watch t.v. rather than go outside. Right now, I am afraid that the market supports exactly what we have. So, we have to recruit a different group that will force a change in the market.

Just my thoughts.

I agree with you, sjr..

There seem to be a lot of people in Florence that think what the city needs is a new mall and a Publix..and a waterpark..and a trolley system. There's only so much money to go around, and while I think a Hooters would actually do incredibly well (attracting college students buying a pitcher of beer and people who just want some good food)..something would probably close. Seems like many people in Florence think weekend night 'gettin outta the house' entertainment is going to the Wal Mart Supercenter, where the lights are always on..

How does the second week of August look for everyone? I'm thinking about a Monday or Tuesday evening, say 6:30.

I'm interested, will have to wait on work schedule to commit though.

Looks good for me...

http://www.villageofprovidence.com/index.php?mainID=4
Has anyone been here?
I'd like to see something like this in downtown Florence. The atmosphere is great. Rent the lofts above the businesses as appts. Or maybe down along the proposed riverwalk.

As a Florence Jaycee, I am very interested in coming to this meeting. In fact, you might consider getting in touch with other civic organizations as well as the Jaycees about this meeting. Just let me know when and where....

I'm coming into this discussion late, but I would like to touch on just a few things.

I like the "village shopping" idea that imax71 posted a link to. I have visited an entire subdivision based on this concept in Birmingham. There is also an example in Huntsville called Providence. I agree that it would be a great idea for this type of development around the conference center and new River Walk park. I really think the south side of Veterans Drive has tremendous potential being along the river. I would love to see the River Walk develop into an actual tourist attraction that people come to town to see. I think it would be much better than any proposed plan for redeveloping Veterans Park, sans an actual civic center.

Also, I think it was brought up by LAWGRL a few pages back, an idea to build a connecting freeway to the Cherokee area. Ideally, I think a bypass that would start at the end of Cox Creek and swing southwest to Cherokee would be great. Unfortunately, I think the cost of a new bridge would keep it from ever happening. I think the Shoals' best shot at an interstate connection is to either lobby for an extension of I-565 down Highway 20, or a southern connection to future I-22 (Corridor X). I think a toll road option should be explored to pay for these, if neccessary.

Smoothcat, I can't take credit for that idea. It must have been someone else.

Techno, we'd love to have you and any other Jaycees who want to attend. We are looking at Sunday afternoon, August 11th. I will finalize everything and be sure it's posted here frequently for everyone to see. I will also call the Jaycees, Rotary Club, and other organizations to let them know.

Ideally, we will walk away from the first meeting with some great ideas and a unified voice to take to council meetings in the area. After all, isn't a city councilperson there to represent his/her constituents?

I went back and checked, LAWGRL, and you had actually quoted part of the original post. My apologies to ryokurin, who actually came up with the idea. I think it was a good one.

quote:

like the "village shopping" idea that imax71 posted a link to. I have visited an entire subdivision based on this concept in Birmingham. T

Would that be Mt. Laurel?

quote:

Originally posted by vick13:
Would that be Mt. Laurel?

Yep. We took a tour of the place last fall. I know that nothing being proposed for Florence is quite like it, and I'm not even sure that I would want to live in a place like that. I like the concept however. I think something on a smaller scale, using mostly apartments instead of housing, might work in the Shoals.

I lived a street over from Mt. Laurel when I was in B'ham the last time. It's a great concept.

I left an email for the Alabama Jaycee State President, who lives in Florence also. She was very interested in checking out this meeting. She also said that maybe we (Jaycees) can help you, in other ways.

quote:

Originally posted by Techno62:
I left an email for the Alabama Jaycee State President, who lives in Florence also. She was very interested in checking out this meeting. She also said that maybe we (Jaycees) can help you, in other ways.

Thank you, Techno. Unfortunately there are three different threads going about this meeting, so it's hard for people to keep up with it. But we are looking at Sunday afternoon on August 11th at Veterans' Park in Florence.

I think you mean August 12th, not the 11th.

You're right! Thanks for pointing that out.

Check with Hounddogblues for the official plans. He's in charge now. Hope everyone has some good ideas.

Is it too late for me to attend? My honey and I will actually be relocated by then (we close on our house next week).

Thanks!

okay, being as North as i am... what can i do to help? these are the kinds of things that this area so desperately needs!
i don't have any ideas that have not previously been stated and i agree with everything.
but seriously, if i had the kind of disposable income to fly down for the meeting i would, but i dont, so what can i do from 1000 miles away?

When will this meeting be held on Sunday? I have many people who are also interested in attending.

Thanks!

How will you sell this to the people that don't want change? After all,Most of your right wing conservatives cannot and will not be for a change.Changes scare conservatives.

quote:

Originally posted by FoshaBen:
I think many of you are missing the point of this forum that LAWGRL has created here. Rather than the usual and typical complaining about how bad things are (no jobs, dumb politicians, etc.), this should be used as a space where we can come up with SOLID ideas that will lead to solutions. We're all very well aware that many are not happy, however, complaining never solved any problems. Only solutions solve problems. I think that is one major hurdle the people of the Shoals are going to have to overcome.



Anyway, I'm a firm believer that first and foremost the solution begins with job opportunities. If they are available, no one will want to leave in the first place. I think that just focusing primarily on a revitalization of the downtown (which I would love to see happen) will be similar to what the local politicians have been trying to do for years. Their way of thinking has been to make the place attractive through beautification to attract tourists, and jobs will follow. I don't agree with that strategy. I feel that industry should come first, and when that begins to grow, there will be revenue and a need to beautify the area, making it more attractive.

First and foremost: jobs, and not restaurant jobs, or retail jobs. Real ones that will actually keep the younger generations from leaving once they've gotten their degrees.

AMEN!

I think that we could have success if the city leaders would become unified. That would be a great first step and I believe that it can be done.

so what happened was there a meeting?

I don't know!!! Did it happen????

I think it could STILL be a plan, just maybe in September when it cools down???

I am still very much all for putting something together. However, I hope that the next try will not be so cumbersome with people freaking out over when and where. You can't please everyone. If it is going to be left to me to organize it, I hope everyone will be respectful of the location and time.

I was really disappointed that it didn't happen. Lawgrl, just let me know if I can help with anything. I think this really needs to happen. I think it will prove to the city leaders that we do have a voice & we can get things done with out them. After all they are the reason I moved out of Florence & work in Huntsville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!