Comments on: Mayor Cohen’s Idea Team Reports http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2010/02/02/mayor-cohens-idea-team-reports/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mayor-cohens-idea-team-reports ...it's about the quality of life! Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:51:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Merry O'Brien http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2010/02/02/mayor-cohens-idea-team-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2447 Merry O'Brien Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:37:57 +0000 http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/?p=5545#comment-2447 I think the mayor has some good material to work with from the specific recommendations--and I agree those are especially the ones the Safety, Structuring, and Transportation teams came up with. That's exactly what I noticed too. Those were the most focused. Yeah, there was some stuff in the Executive Summary that sounded cool but far-off or just too nebulous, but Cohen and the council are smart enough to realize we can't go spending on giant monorails across the harbor or something (I'm thinking of a Simpson's mayor episode here...anyone remember that one?) He's shown prudence so far in cutting the Sister City's program, unnecessary positions within his own office, and working to control overtime spending. Off to a good start with specific ways to deal with the budget, it seems. I think the mayor has some good material to work with from the specific recommendations–and I agree those are especially the ones the Safety, Structuring, and Transportation teams came up with. That’s exactly what I noticed too. Those were the most focused. Yeah, there was some stuff in the Executive Summary that sounded cool but far-off or just too nebulous, but Cohen and the council are smart enough to realize we can’t go spending on giant monorails across the harbor or something (I’m thinking of a Simpson’s mayor episode here…anyone remember that one?) He’s shown prudence so far in cutting the Sister City’s program, unnecessary positions within his own office, and working to control overtime spending. Off to a good start with specific ways to deal with the budget, it seems.

]]> By: JWF http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2010/02/02/mayor-cohens-idea-team-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2442 JWF Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:56:49 +0000 http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/?p=5545#comment-2442 All of the ideas presented were good ones and it is obvious that the teams spent a lot of time and effort to compile their reports. But wasn't the focus to be on the current budget year and to take a deep look into what the situation was? Most of what I heard last night was stuff you would expect to find in a 20 year comprehensive growth plan. Seriously, how long will it take (and at what cost) to acquire the easements to create a walkways from Spa Creek Bridge to City Dock? These reports (again for the most part) are the stuff dreams are made of. Unfortunately, right now we need to deal with some harsh realities. All of the ideas presented were good ones and it is obvious that the teams spent a lot of time and effort to compile their reports. But wasn’t the focus to be on the current budget year and to take a deep look into what the situation was?

Most of what I heard last night was stuff you would expect to find in a 20 year comprehensive growth plan. Seriously, how long will it take (and at what cost) to acquire the easements to create a walkways from Spa Creek Bridge to City Dock?

These reports (again for the most part) are the stuff dreams are made of. Unfortunately, right now we need to deal with some harsh realities.

]]> By: sandy http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2010/02/02/mayor-cohens-idea-team-reports/comment-page-1/#comment-2441 sandy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:51:40 +0000 http://www.eyeonannapolis.net/?p=5545#comment-2441 It may be some of the comments here that miss the mark by being dismissive while failing to see the functional purpose of some Idea Team recommendations. As the chair of the economic development team pointed out, with assessments falling and reluctance to increase taxes during this recession, economic development is the one potential source of revenue that is currently on the table to help our City's budget woes. How to stimulate that? That team has some suggestions. But as the City Dock team chair pointed out, Annapolis now has to compete with aggressive commercial development on its outskirts, while dozens of downtown businesses have gone dark and shops here are empty. So that team recommended the City try to transform its prime waterfront real estate at City Dock which is currently used as a parking lot and convert it into the unique Annapolis amenity it could be. That would attract residents, shoppers, workers and tourists to downtown again -- and not only add to the experience of Annapolitans, but stimulate surrounding commercial activity. We might actually have a chance then to compete with Parole Towne Center, Westfield Mall and Harbour Centre by offering what they cannot provide -- rather than just watch our downtown commerce die. It's not idle dreaming, but a clear-eyed look at economic realities and the assets Annapolis has to build upon. It may be some of the comments here that miss the mark by being dismissive while failing to see the functional purpose of some Idea Team recommendations.
As the chair of the economic development team pointed out, with assessments falling and reluctance to increase taxes during this recession, economic development is the one potential source of revenue that is currently on the table to help our City’s budget woes. How to stimulate that? That team has some suggestions.
But as the City Dock team chair pointed out, Annapolis now has to compete with aggressive commercial development on its outskirts, while dozens of downtown businesses have gone dark and shops here are empty. So that team recommended the City try to transform its prime waterfront real estate at City Dock which is currently used as a parking lot and convert it into the unique Annapolis amenity it could be. That would attract residents, shoppers, workers and tourists to downtown again — and not only add to the experience of Annapolitans, but stimulate surrounding commercial activity. We might actually have a chance then to compete with Parole Towne Center, Westfield Mall and Harbour Centre by offering what they cannot provide — rather than just watch our downtown commerce die. It’s not idle dreaming, but a clear-eyed look at economic realities and the assets Annapolis has to build upon.

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