Comments on: Bumpouts

By: PCA

PCA — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:43:27 +0000

Instead of bump-outs, why can’t the corners be cut out and converted to the ramp needed by sloping the concrete from the corner to the edge of the walk area? Would be close to the six foot needed for six inch curb, and you wouldn’t need the turn area since the ramp would go straight to the walk each way at the corners.
Why does downtown have to have the bump-outs, but it ok for every other corner in town not to have them?

By: Johnny Rotten

Johnny Rotten — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:47:36 +0000

The downtown streetscape DOES increase the affected property owners taxes. If they can’t pay the 10-20 grand it will cost them out of their pocket, the cost will be added to their taxes! NO CHOICE!

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:46:23 +0000

Dave: I think those are admirable goals. It is unfortunate that there are vocal people on here who don’t share a vision for a community downtown that is vibrant and even attractive. I would say that while I do think this is a valuable place to voice opinions, that sometimes this type of formant turns into a place where people are just going to complain, often without being informed. Usually, people are only going to write opinions on message boards like this if they have a gripe, and few people will write if they are satisfied with the situation or at least don’t have a strong opinion. I do think that the city and you are working with the good of the community in mind. If you find that there is dissent, you might provide some opportunities to inform the public about exactly what is going on in this project and the ways in which you’re working to keep costs down AND get a project that is actually worth doing to help the infrastructure and aesthetics of the downtown area. Then, of course, after providing those opportunities, you will frustratingly find that you can never please everyone. That’s the way things go.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:38:06 +0000

I actually think the city is acting responsibly in its street projects, even the downtown one, to be able to use sources that do not affect tax rates while working on projects to better the community, and yes, this includes making the downtown a more attractive place. The project is relatively frugal given its scope, and it is work that is long overdue.

By: biker

biker — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:39:07 +0000

I still think there is a committe or sub committe or someone who thinks their special that runs the downtown and comes up with these ideas of needing “bumpouts, different lighting, a seating area in the old pucci’s location. That is fine and all but to what good? To say you knotched this one in your belt? The pucci location was bad. IT does look great. But now are you going to make the dentist man re-do his side of the building? If I was him I would say its just fine as is. Kiinda an eye sore but its still intact. Then the city or committe or sub committe will force it upon him to re-do his “eye sore”. My question would be great, lets do it. You (city, committe or sub committe pay for it). No different than giving businesses uptown money to re-do there fronts or add signage or whatever that was meant for. Sure some buildings look better than others but where is that program right now?? I know in Orange City it is manditory that all buildings look dutch. Great theme. But has anyone asked or called a business person or the city how they handle the design, the specs, the monies involved? IN regards to snow removal. Look around town where there are curbs. Banged up, missing cement, patched cement, looks awful. I know it may be hard to avoid hitting them when doing snow but really?? bumpouts to attract more people? I think after a few years use they will be like the rest of our streets in this town, holes, water traps, uneven terrain, and maybe like I do, I get sea sick easliy so choose your streets wisely! Also in regards to this ADA ramp stuff. I was in a town ( i wont mention). that had re-done certain locations in front of certain businesses – those located on an intersection – they simply re-did the concrete and worked it back up to grade. He told me there city crew did all the work. They looked at different avenues to persue but in the end this was there decision – he stated a wise decision based upon the city needs and money to spend. I would also like to see these “new rules” of ADA. There website has 2013 rules, etc to abide by. I made a phone call to there office of operations, the lady told me that there is to much info to give over the phone so go to there website. I asked if there were new rules out. She stated she didn’t know of any as there website is up-to-date for 2013. So I ask – are these rules that are coming down the pike in 1,3,5 years or something that is being debated and “could be”. At this time I am not buying into the “new rule” excuss or being pre-empted for the bumpouts.

By: Dave Popkes

Dave Popkes — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:29:55 +0000

You are saying that I don’t care about how much taxes go up. I do care, being a business owner if my building is worth 100,000.00 and the tax is $1.00 per thousand than my tax is $100.00 but if you have a house that is worth $100,000.00 then your tax is around $47.00. So every one on the council is paying the highest tax rate, and if taxes go up then we are the ones who get hit the hardest. So if you think that I like tax increases you are wrong. Being downtown, the busineses pay more per running foot than most anyone does. The downtown needs to be keep up, kicking the can down the road will only prolong the inevitable. The street lights are old and some of the wireing is bad, the streets are cracking up, and alot of the sidewalks are bad, I would like to widen the street by 2 feet if we can, or make the diagonal at a steeper angle so it is easier to see and have more room. I,d like to see better decorations, farmers market in the Park where Puccies used to be, more gatherings downtown, maybe some flea markets, or outdoor sales in the Park downtown, some festivals, dances, etc., anything to get our downtown more vibrant,and busy. Most of the buildings are being used now, maybe one small one open, and alot of out of town people like our downtown, even those from Sioux Center and Orange City Shop Here. Our town is a good town, it has been my home for over 40 years, and has been really good to me, I thank all of you for your support, and I will continue to lower taxes, and push for growth in this community.