THE GUARDIAN view is the move will take with it 75 jobs out of the downtown core of Caldwell and with it all the demand for goods and services these jobs and people leaving represent to other downtown merchants. This will reduce the number of people eating lunch, going to the barber, beauty shoppes, drug store and grocery store runs.
In the 14 years of Mayor Nancolas' administration of our city we have seen nothing but a steady decline in the viability of downtown Caldwell, even in a time of tremendous growth in Caldwell. Certainly the economy has not helped in the past few years but we have had a huge increase in the population of Caldwell since the 2000 census.
THE GUARDIAN often wonders what downtown would look like if the Job Service offices, the VA Clinic, the Vehicle and Drivers license offices, the Vineyard Suites apartments for seniors, and if he had managed to keep the SW District Health people in our downtown. One reader made the comment about the Nancolas plan is "if we build it they will come". We have to wonder what downtown would look like if Urban Renewal tax dollars were used to actually renew downtown? One of the big issues with redevelopment is all of the code restrictions placed on old non-conforming buildings and the never ending list of "things" imposed on people interested in opening a business downtown.
The window of opportunity in downtown Caldwell is rapidly closing along with the remaining businesses downtown.
What to do with yet another empty? Mayor eljay and his public relations officer nancoles will I'am sure be able to explain this. They should stil have the script from why the county fair left caldwell.A couple of word changes and it should work just fine.I get the feeling that These two don't live in the same town that I do. Lance Burton made a large passenger plane disapear but that is small time to a whole city. If we can only keep believing that things are just grrrreat! in caldwell this will all make more sence I'am sure
ReplyDeleteThere was in the previous post and is implicit in this post the lack of or need of a plan. The only plan that has any chance either in downtown or any other part of Caldwell at his point, is to cut the city budget to the bone, stop and phase out existing urban renewal projects, disengage from as many commitments as possible, be sure planning and development is so understaffed as to not be able to inhibit growth so efficiently. We must create an environment where those who might possibly invest in this city can get the most bang for THEIR buck, get timely approvals without strings and dubious conditions, and be sure their local government related costs will be stable and predictable. Retailers, industrialists, etc. and investors KNOW what they require much better than a bunch of local clowns with the taxpayers wallet trying to build something to lure them here. Also I being an investor feel much more comfortable working with a community that is not trying to by me or anyone else off. It indicates a community with confidence and integrity with a potentially more stable future business environment.
ReplyDeleteThe NFPA, UBC, and numerous other adopted legal structures are laws open to levels of interpretations not that different from the Internal Revenue Code. As a steward of reasonable growth, a policy of facilitating projects is doable without increasing staff and increasing red tape to enhance job security for public servants although complaints and wailing excuses will abound.
Years ago there was a bad smell in Caldwell that affected the nose. Now the bad smell affects the wallet. For future prosperity both must go.
Is that building totally empty yet? I say tear that eyesore down and re purpose the entire lot into a park for the public that we can all enjoy
ReplyDeleteSad
ReplyDeleteThe long-time Curt and Hal Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep (now owned by a larger dealer) also vacated Caldwell recently - with no word in the Idaho Press-Tribune, King Nancolas or the rep. at Caldwell's Chamber of Commerce.
ReplyDeleteEnough already with high property taxes and Urban Renewal.
Are you listening, King Nancolas?
Sure would make a good spot for a community college....oh, wait a sec...never mind.
ReplyDeleteTheir new place sure is nice. How many car wrecks do you think will happen at Floridia and 55 with no light. Combining Nampa and Caldwell into one place is great. 50 thousand people a month where is the golden arches or the Maverik. Oh they are most likely waiting for a stop light that will never happen.
ReplyDeleteGet the movers ready! After many years my family and I are moving out of Caldwell next month. Good luck Paul. I hope you'll understand that once I move, I will never read this blog again. This city is a mess!
ReplyDeleteRF says...
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Kickin Kup coffee shop is out of business. They were the ones that opened due to the tvcc college kids and the city opened after. Looks like UR used tax dollars to trample a new business start up. ElJay told a whole fleet of people in a UR meeting that complained about this issue that they would open their coffee shop anyway. Well it worked the city owned version has won.
Curt and Hal just moved down the street to the old Lithia Chevrolet Dealership. They haven't left Caldwell yet. But they are inching their way towards Nampa though...
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