>> WHY CHOOSE ONLY ADVOCATES FOR THE NEW PLAN
Sorry, I didn't mean it to be that way. Here's the point I was trying to make.
1. Jeff talked about the whole process and invited everyone to take part, making the point that
2. Candy Miller was against it in the beginning, and if a 100% historic advocate can change her mind, what does that say about the idea? She says the plan is not to do away with the shed roof - it can be replaced (I'd like to see that too)
3. Richard Gray was there when the trees were put in - he has a story to show why those trees are in trouble.
4. Ellen Hester says the museum has all the research information
I should have made it clear I was talking about educating people to what is and what was. - those four people provided facts that anyone can use.
I didn't mention Courtney Puffer, at Pacific Western Traders. A few weeks ago, Courtney was 100% against this but he is now on the Design Committee. I bet he still has concerns, but he is participating and he isn't going to let this become Broadstone 2. His family has been in this area for 100 years .
I am still against the plan, but must participate in the process. I feel compelled to do what I can, to preserve what is left of the Historic District. The history of Folsom is my family's as well; my Grandparents and Great Grandparents all lived and worked in Folsom.
>>WHY NOT REPLANT MATURE TREES
Exactly - get involved and put your point across
>>OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE THE MEDIANS IN A STRONGER AND MORE ATTRACTIVE ARRANGEMENT.
Ditto - Community involvement is requested - don't forget the vulnerability of the buildings.
>>NO DOUBT SOME THOSE OVERHANGS NEED TO BE REPAIRED/REPLACED. HOWEVER, IF ITS UP TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO REPLACE THE AWNING BUILDING BY BUILDING (WHICH IS NOT HISTORICALLY HOW THE AWNINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED ON THE STREET FOR THE MOST PART) THEN ITS LIKELY ITS GOING TO HAVE A HODGE PODGE FEEL WITH A FAUX WESTERN FEEL. PART OF THE CHARM NOW IS THE UNIFIED COMMUNAL FEELING OF THE OVERHANG.
Hodge Podge? - check your photos of early Folsom - conformity as well as history? Remember that the HDC has to approve them. I don't know why the City decided to put up the shed roof on the buildings. "Unified Communal feeling of the overhang" - That is what hides the charming historic architecture, function over form and joins multiple buildings together. The new building at Sutter and Wool will be one big building that will look like four separate buildings. in the 700 block we have four buildings tied together as one. Wouldn't it be good to change that?
>>IF THE TREES ARE MOVED 20 FEET CLOSER TO THE BUILDINGS, THEY WILL OBSCURE THOSE HISTORIC FACADES.
Excellent point, please participate and make those points.
>> EXPAND THEIR TABLE SPACE ON THE STREET...DOESN'T BENEFIT THE MAJORITY OF THE STORES
When people have time to sit and wait for a drink or meal will they look in windows or walk into stores. When there is a draw like multiple outside cafes, I think it will bring a lot more people into the street. When the street is full of antique shops, jewelry shops etc, what is there that keeps a large number of people coming down here? I would think - and I'm no expert - that outdoor cafes would make the 700 block more vibrant.
>>I DONT THINK WE SHOULD BE SO CAVALIER ABOUT CHANGING THE VERY STRUCTURE OF IT.
Please participate and make the point. Maybe its better to let the Folsom Station area have all of the outside dining and bring people in and leave the 700 block with the existing layout after all the necessary work gets done.
>>HERE IS A QUESTION THAT HASN'T COME UP. DO THE NEW AWNINGS EXTEND OVER THE ENTIRE 20 FEET OF THE NEW WIDENED SIDEWALK?
Excellent points
>>MANY OF THE SHED ROOFS NEED REPAIR
Great points - but most of the shed roofs don't need repair - they are way beyond that - they need to be removed, get the facade fixed and then replaced and done in the right way, it can look original, if you get the right architect and the right materials and finish.
>>NEW MIX OF STORES... PROPONENTS ARE HOPING THIS FORCES SOME PEOPLE OUT.
If you were interested in buying a property there, you can't get a bank loan - too risky for most banks. You need cach - got a couple of million handy? I think some owners want to get out but its very difficult. Tenant mix is not the same as owner mix. Talking about tenant mix conjures up the idea of pushing businesses out, but consider this - what if four businesses close and a realtor, a law firm, a mortgage company and Starbucks want to set up there - what good is that going to do the street? The FHDA (merchants Association) is trying to help get these things together, to help the whole district. Disclosure - I am the FHDA Secretary.
>>IF THE 600, 800, AND 900 BLOCKS HAVE WIDENED SIDEWALKS, HOW COULD THE 700 BLOCK BE LEFT ALONE WITHOUT IT LOOKING ODD? THIS PLAN SHOULD BE COHESIVE.
They're all different now. How to get cohesive but not cookie-cutter?
>>IF WE DON'T START WITH A COHESIVE PLAN
This is exactly what is starting right now, please be a part of it. You have a lot of good ideas and you've obviously seen other places where it worked or didn't work.
I was in Golden, Colorado a couple of weeks ago. I'm doing a short story on that. They didn't have a lot of historic buildings but they have a nice feel - but its definitely not historic, even though they have a historic area. I was also in Boulder, Colorado - also very nice - and they have a car-free mall, but they also have a University with thousands of students all around it. That is what I call vibrant.
This process is not going to be easy and its not going to be done on the cheap. Its important we get it right. I live in the HD, just up the hill and I'm in the commercial area every day. I want it to be historic and vibrant and I want everyone to be successful. Don't forget, it is the merchants and the property owners who are putting their money where their mouths are, not us. Its a lot easier for us all to want to tell them what to do - we have only emotional equity in it. I guarantee you, the merchants want this to be historic - its the whole point of being here and that is the draw that brings people here, but there aren't enough people yet. The disruption may force some merchants out - they know it is risky - Stand in the merchants' shoes and think about what you would want.
I have a question for everyone on this board - and anyone not on it. If I ask you, in the next two years to help make the HD successful by spending some time down here, taking part in events, eating in restaurants, visiting shops, recommending the area to your friends and relatives, would you do it? What would it take for you to say yes? What will I do for you? I don't know yet, but I'll work something out.
Alan.
FolsomLocalNews.com
