Downtown revitalization

[gunnar1073]

Don't rain on the shops downtown for the way they look. I think that problem belongs to the Slumlords that own the buildings. At least the shop owners make an attempt to utilize the area!!!

[jackknife]

Exactly. I can't imagine how awesome the apartments downtown would be if someone just cared to clean them up. Loft apartments would really call to the young professional people in town.

Man, I wish I knew the formula for a thriving downtown because there is so much potential there! A local pizza joint. A pub or two. Retail stores. Coffee house. Ice Cream shops. Antiques! Man, there is so much that can be done but I just don't know the answer as to how to make people use it.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by jackknife

Exactly. I can't imagine how awesome the apartments downtown would be if someone just cared to clean them up. Loft apartments would really call to the young professional people in town.

Man, I wish I knew the formula for a thriving downtown because there is so much potential there! A local pizza joint. A pub or two. Retail stores. Coffee house. Ice Cream shops. Antiques! Man, there is so much that can be done but I just don't know the answer as to how to make people use it.

A lot of cities are doing the loft thing and some of them are (were anyway) getting a pretty good price for them in some areas. Lofts are cool.

[jackknife]

I live in the land of lofts. I would love to have one with the exposed bricks that was kind of industrial looking in a pedestrian area. Those older elements in those buildings are what make them great.

[Gypsy]

I agree. Of course we've already torn out some really interesting buildings for URBAN RENEWAL. In Cripple Creek they have gutted old buildings and kept the facades, it's the law and it worked very well. I just wonder how a casino on the edge of town surrounded by new stores, will help downtown or the mall, for that matter. Downtown is on Wyatt Earp and that is where most of the eating places and, I think, all of the motels are now. Move that steer and open up downtown! While I agree with your idea, the city fathers (isn't it about time for a city mother?) have dollar signs in their eyes and greed in their hearts and haven't considered the merchants (or the working man) in this town for so long that we almost don't have any.

[Army_of_One]

Maybe having the casino here will boost Dodge enough and get the ball rolling so that 10 years from now that stuff can occur.

[K C Muffin]

Originally Posted by The Drifter

Kick the mexican shops out of downtown dodge because they sell mexican stuff or because mexicans own them?



Ethnic Cleansing anyone?

I think you're missing the point. Historic Dodge City wasn't full of junky shops. It was full of shopkeepers who took pride in their shops and merchandise - try not to put words in someone's mouth... I agree - this would make a kick-ass outlet mall, TC! The apartments above those buildings used to be so cool - with the high ceilings and all. They would make awesome lofts!

[Mike B.]

Although I too think some of the shops downtown look trashy, that also can change.

Mexicans were a big part of the old west, they could really add a festive mood to downtown if they wanted to. I think it would be cool to hear the acustic guitars of the old spanish music playing and then seeing some mexican with big sombraos (sp?) and some ladies in their fancy full colorful dresses. Getting them to take part might be a real challenge though.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Mike B.

Getting them to take part might be a real challenge though.

If it makes money I think they would participate...lol

[Detector]

OK here is where things get a bit tricky. Although you may think a Mexican shop would be nifty in an old Dodge City theme, we don't want another Park City on our hands. There was no Mexican shops in old Dodge City. We either need to keep it real of forget about it. Retrofitting and old Dodge City would be a disaster.

I'm sure some of you classic fans are familiar with the term "Restomod" but for those who are not, it's taking an old classic automobile and not restoring it to it's original features, but adding modern features like digital dash, 20" custom wheels and custom interior. While these are still appreciated by some classic enthusiasts, they can be repulsive to some real classic buffs. But even those retomod fans can appreciate a real classic done right.

Dodge City is that unique classic. There is no model that can be used to restore Dodge City. Old Dodge City IS the model that other old west cities will choose to replicate. This puts us in a very unique yet tough situation. Should we ever choose to restore downtown dodge to it's original luster, which in my opinion would put Dodge City back on the map, and I don't mean those maps given to the people crossing the Rio Grand, but that doing anything less than a full restoration would be a waist.

Now I do believe a Museum dedicated to the old Mexican Village would be a must, but for those real classic history visitors a Mexican store would leave a bad taste in their mouth. And our best advertising would be by word of mouth.

I may be a bit over passionate about Dodge City, but my god, we are setting on a gold mine and eking out a living selling tacos.