As City Manager of Saratoga County, New York I would focus on the the strengths that my community has from an economic stand point. Having access to capital, in place infrastructure that can support industrial or manufacturing, centrally located from communities and places of work, great access to leisure activities, and a top ranking educational system. Being home to industry leaders such as IBM and GE are just part of the reason that Saratoga County is considered to be one of the technology hubs of the world. Providing ample leisure activities such as dinning, theater, skiing, night life, and open spaces allows not only for individuals to advance career wise, but to also get a sense of community.
As City Manager, I would propose to create a strong presents of milt-use developments in the center of this area with a preference of dinning, entertainment, and shopping. We currently have a great infrastructure of educational institutions and corporations. However, employees have to leave the area to engage in activities ranging out side of work. By focusing on multi-use development we are able to accomplish two objectives at the same time; bringing a diverse economic funding source to the area, and eliminated the need to individual to take their purchasing power out of the region. One type of development could be a partnership between a hotel chain and condominium developer. Workers that desire to be in close proximity to their work place could purchase the condominium and visitor to the area could stay at the hotel to take advantage of the ski slopes and local rivers. With the decline of the industrial age and the rise of the post industrial society, services are the economic future for cities (Euchner and McGovern pg.99). By concentating our efforts into creating zoning that is condusive to multi-use developments, we can provide the existing industrial ecomonic development with the diversity that is needed to sustain the economy of our county.
I would also support applications for the HOPE VI grant program. I feel that this program will not only insure greater living condition for the individuals of our community with lower income, but will also show our dedication to having a functional diverse community. This program well allow the county to focus on the down trodden areas that have been neglected. Improving these areas will have a positive impact on the surrounding areas and may also increase property values. Building new residences with community based amenities will promote a stronger sense of responsibility for the tents of these developments and will hopefully reflect in the preservation of these developments. It is important to focus on the counties entire region to encourage the best citizen experience possible for all residences.
I agree with you that services are the future of the community. The service based economy is here to stay and people are willing to pay money for convenience and time saving.
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas on including housing when creating a multi-use central core. Merchants located in the Mill Ave district in Tempe really struggled until the condominium complexes were built within walking distance of the area. I also agree with you on the Hope VI Grant. The people that would benefit often feel overlooked by their representatives. By rebuilding their homes the government would prove to them that they are a part of the community.
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ReplyDeleteAs a developer, I would be very interested in finding a site for condominiums. I see an outstanding opportunity to create available housing for the vast amount of professionals that are coming downtown every day for work and are in search of shorter commute times and city-life. Also, an increase in the downtown population will attract even more businesses to add to the already impressive amount of available downtown activities.
ReplyDeleteAs a potential business looking to locate to your town I think that your proposals are great additions to the community. The multi-use core is a great model that provides a great area for the community to flourish. I would also be attracted to your idea of having the condo.hotel area because it would offer a lot of visitors to support restaurant/retail centers. As a larger business I would also be attracted to your proposals because you have a lot of big companies that would be close-by. I also think your idea of incorporating the HOPE IV community is a great idea.
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