tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post115309810025892801..comments2024-03-01T07:43:16.529-06:00Comments on Smart City Memphis: The Mistake Of Measuring Memphis Against Itself As Proof Of SuccessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1153324077524052082006-07-19T10:47:00.000-05:002006-07-19T10:47:00.000-05:00Paul: Thanks for the post. We'll answer it on th...Paul: Thanks for the post. We'll answer it on the blog today or tomorrow. But first of all, we want to reiterate that we are not trying to exagerating the problem. We have seduced ourselves here into thinking that downtown is doing well, when it is floundering. It's the poor public space, the unappealing environment, the poor attention to design, etc., that is the reason that we can't attract offices, and we've done nothing to make it easier for retail to connect with its market. These are the things that the CCC should be concentrating on, and unfortunately, the agency seems to have a grab bag of priorities that skews its focus and impact. Actually, we think if the CCC had locked Andy and Lee in a room for three days, they could produce recommendations that would be strategic and actionable, and that, more than anything, is what we need right now.Smart City Consultinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13985783340016474051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1153322045619665242006-07-19T10:14:00.000-05:002006-07-19T10:14:00.000-05:00"In the past 20 years, we have moved from competin..."In the past 20 years, we have moved from competing with Nashville and Charlotte to competing with Baton Rouge and Little Rock, and without dramatic, history-altering strategies, it will only get worse. "<BR/><BR/><BR/>I'm thinking we are going to be competing with New Orleans and Gary, IN, unless crime and curroption get under control. <BR/><BR/>We're heading that way FAST...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1153314736328123312006-07-19T08:12:00.000-05:002006-07-19T08:12:00.000-05:00I agree with some of what you've said, but it seem...I agree with some of what you've said, but it seems to me that in an effort to make a valuable point you have exagerated the problem quite a bit. Although it has a long way to go, downtown Memphis is doing very well, even relative to other cities. And I don't see any concrete, practical suggestions for improvement in this post. What goals, objectives and strategies would you propose that are not already in the CCC plan? As a private-sector member of the CCC board, I'd also really like to hear what you think should be done to improve the CCC. (And as much as I agree with you about Andy and Lee, do you seriously think the CCC should disolve in favor of some sort of creative grant to two individuals? I assume, again, you were exagerating to make a point?)<BR/><BR/>-Paul Morris, memphismorris@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12509286.post-1153143236338681502006-07-17T08:33:00.000-05:002006-07-17T08:33:00.000-05:00I'm sure you were at the CCC luncheon last Thursda...I'm sure you were at the CCC luncheon last Thursday (13 July 06). Sounds like you weren't conviced by Da Mayor about the greatness of Downtown. It sounded more like a campaign speech to me.<BR/><BR/>As for businesses supporting Downtown, I believe the representative from FedEx stated that one of the departments would be moved down to S. Main. I forget which one.<BR/><BR/>My concern is that so much focus is on Downtown while the rest of the city slips further into decay. <BR/><BR/>Midtown, specifically the Broad Street/Summer Avenue area, needs some focus. <BR/><BR/>Frayser was once a vibrant, blue collar community ... it's teetering on the edge and needs help from going into an almost irreversible decline.<BR/><BR/>Continue to bring residents Downtown with condos, apts, and housing and the rest will take care of itself. But Broad Street/Summer Avenue area and Frayser need some infrastructure attention.<BR/><BR/>Yes, the CCC and the RDC are both too politicized. My feeling at the moment is that no sitting elected or appointed paid city official should be a voting member on either ... or, for that matter, any other board (like MATA) or commission. Maybe that would help. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions on how the members should be picked, their terms, and if they should be limited.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com