Bryan, I didn't think of the Homeless Shelter as a 'business'... my bad! As for all those empty business' down there, the DDA recently said they were, 'Retail Incubators' supposed to 'hatch' (cause thats what an Incubator does) revenue producing business down that street. A shelter, eh?! I dunno how that qualfies as a 'revenue project' at all, except perhaps giving the City a 'tax' shelter (no pun) for 'loss' of funds - I like the Salvation Army, like what they do for ALL of us.. I wish them well. What's needed 'downtown' is business to help 'share' the expenses of having a downtown.. y'know? Something to 'bring in money' if for nothing else but to produce money spent by the DDA, and put up Christmas Decorations.
EStacey, I can see where you're coming from, but think you should consider looking at it from another angle as well. Downtown is currently sitting empty. There's no money in from an empty business. Looking at the cost analysis between downtown and another location could very realistically show that the downtown location is financially better for the city. Is it not better to get some use of an empty building than to allow it to continue to be part of a blight on the city?
googleyeyed is correct in thinking the way he does. We've long paid for the Downtown Area (Ludington Street) to be improved for retail and 'money in' type business.. be it in whatever form.. the Downtown is NO place for 'free' or 'tax free' establishment of any kind.. lest we all balk at paying City Taxes the next time.. I think that has to be considered as a factor. The 8th Street Coffee house couldn't get this City to lower it's rent or make enough money to stay in business.. Where was the 'Generosity' to the needy then? Amazing to me how Pious we become when the weather gets colder and/or it's Christmas or Thanksgiving time.. especially when it's someone else's money being spent.
@whatsleftofyou, point well taken.. I have long thought that 'one' solution to the ever growing welfare problem we face is to 'tap on the relatives' of those who are in need. Certainly your Brother, Sister, Brother-in Law, Sister in Law, Cousin, Father, Mother, etc.. etc.. should be in line to 'help' FIRST.. Strange how that may sound.. suddenly, when you're in need, NOBODY but the State of Michigan or City of Escanaba can help you.. What family member would let their kin sleep under a bush and get peed on by a drunk? And in the event you had no Kin.. well, gosh!.. why do Church members call each other, "Brother and Sister" if they don't mean it..
@Frenchy, I don't disagree with you up to the point about, 'how to fund such a project' - You say, "Where ever the people who are in charge want it" Where goes the 'say so' of the people who are asked to donate and fund it? Don't 'we' have a say so? Now you mentioned putting it in your neighborhood.. Very nobel of you, is there a building there to do so? Or are you simply stating something to make a point? Because, right now, the Salvation Army is looking for a location, if you know of one.. speak up! I did, I suggested the old Franklin School.. perhaps THAT would be better than Ludington.. at least, I think so..
I don't believe it matters where the homeless shelter is located. Wherever there is space, wherever the people in charge want to put it, that's where it should go. If it has to be in my neighborhood, so what? These people are in need, and our community can and should help in any way we are capable of helping. What would some of the people opposed to the idea think if it was their relative who was homeless?
If all you control freaks are so smart why are you not rich? If You were then you could buy the property so you could make it the way you want instead of forcing a private property owner to do what you want with with someone elses property,
Where do you have the right to tell the next guy he can or cant open this type of establishment? That is the entire problem, a rule book 3 inches thick no one can acomplsh anything, if America was this way in 1776 we wouldnt exist now, if the Salvation army buys the f%%%in buidling its theirs, the should be able to do what they want with it.
The main street is zoned for retail sale businesses and the retail spaces should not be compromised for residential and office space usage.
Taxes and tax rates are higher on the business district in comparison to residential areas, to bring in revenues to operate the city.
The city of Escanaba reverted important tax receipts to the DDA for their authoritarian use.
For nearly 50 years the downtown retail district has deteriorated into a nearly non-existent retail area. The jail needs more space and does not pay taxes.
The state office building will be empty in the near future and does not pay taxes.
The downtown needs retail businesses.
The main street is nearly 90% devoid of retail sales, space that is solely for retail sales not office or residential space.
The ‘mall’ is about 64% empty or devoid of retail sale businesses, and may have reduced tax or electrical rates not available to downtown merchants.
i like the idea for franklin school. arent they turning it into a church anyway? theres a church across the street! i have no opposition to it being on ludington theres not a whole lot going on on main until you hit tenth and beyond.
Well, this is either a 'topic restart' or someone didn't approve of my last comments. I say, "Buy back the Franklin School" and use that. What purpose does it solve putting it on Ludington? It needs to be 'near' food sources and 'inexpensive' clothing stores.. Addititionally, many homeless people have 'stuff' they pack around.. where will that wind up? Not every homeless body is without a vehicle, where will it park? Of course.. it's walking distance from the Jail, and Lawyers.. Franklin School.
I am all for helping less fortunate people but as a downtown resident, I like the efforts that have been made to revitalize downtown. I think a homeless shelter is counter-productive to those efforts. If you like the idea of a homeless shelter so much, why don't we send them to your neighborhood. If the salvation army is advocating the shelter, why not put it out by them.Good location for walking distances to what? DHS and Salvation Army are at least 2 miles away, the only thing in downtown is St. Vincent De Paul. Grocery stores, medical, and other services are not within walking distance of downtown.
Robinhood, this is just a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing that property values are actually higher on Lake Shore Drive and it would cost more to locate it there.
Seems the city wants to designate this block some kind of historical district, I hav to wonder if that is why they are discourging the shelter, which of course is a non profit agency and may be taxed at different rates...
locate it at OSF, i hear they have plenty of empty rooms now because of their critical access application and they are always whinning about giving away free health care
while some people are concerned about what "downtown" will look like,or where this shelter is located Im so happy to know there are still advocates out there for the less fortunate! How superficial can people get? oh no it might hinder shopping where at gus asp? The daily press? and shopping for an attorney probably means your in no postion to judge anothers walk of life! I say put it there, I mean after all these people in need will be sleeping inside, not outside remember thats the idea! and its a good location for walking distances for those who dont have the luxury of walking in the cold! grow up and get a heart
EStacey
Bryan, I didn't think of the Homeless Shelter as a 'business'... my bad! As for all those empty business' down there, the DDA recently said they were, 'Retail Incubators' supposed to 'hatch' (cause thats what an Incubator does) revenue producing business down that street. A shelter, eh?! I dunno how that qualfies as a 'revenue project' at all, except perhaps giving the City a 'tax' shelter (no pun) for 'loss' of funds - I like the Salvation Army, like what they do for ALL of us.. I wish them well. What's needed 'downtown' is business to help 'share' the expenses of having a downtown.. y'know? Something to 'bring in money' if for nothing else but to produce money spent by the DDA, and put up Christmas Decorations.
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BryanJSebeck
EStacey, I can see where you're coming from, but think you should consider looking at it from another angle as well. Downtown is currently sitting empty. There's no money in from an empty business. Looking at the cost analysis between downtown and another location could very realistically show that the downtown location is financially better for the city. Is it not better to get some use of an empty building than to allow it to continue to be part of a blight on the city?
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EStacey
googleyeyed is correct in thinking the way he does. We've long paid for the Downtown Area (Ludington Street) to be improved for retail and 'money in' type business.. be it in whatever form.. the Downtown is NO place for 'free' or 'tax free' establishment of any kind.. lest we all balk at paying City Taxes the next time.. I think that has to be considered as a factor. The 8th Street Coffee house couldn't get this City to lower it's rent or make enough money to stay in business.. Where was the 'Generosity' to the needy then? Amazing to me how Pious we become when the weather gets colder and/or it's Christmas or Thanksgiving time.. especially when it's someone else's money being spent.
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EStacey
@whatsleftofyou, point well taken.. I have long thought that 'one' solution to the ever growing welfare problem we face is to 'tap on the relatives' of those who are in need. Certainly your Brother, Sister, Brother-in Law, Sister in Law, Cousin, Father, Mother, etc.. etc.. should be in line to 'help' FIRST.. Strange how that may sound.. suddenly, when you're in need, NOBODY but the State of Michigan or City of Escanaba can help you.. What family member would let their kin sleep under a bush and get peed on by a drunk? And in the event you had no Kin.. well, gosh!.. why do Church members call each other, "Brother and Sister" if they don't mean it..
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EStacey
@Frenchy, I don't disagree with you up to the point about, 'how to fund such a project' - You say, "Where ever the people who are in charge want it" Where goes the 'say so' of the people who are asked to donate and fund it? Don't 'we' have a say so? Now you mentioned putting it in your neighborhood.. Very nobel of you, is there a building there to do so? Or are you simply stating something to make a point? Because, right now, the Salvation Army is looking for a location, if you know of one.. speak up! I did, I suggested the old Franklin School.. perhaps THAT would be better than Ludington.. at least, I think so..
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whatsleftofyou
If my relative was homeless I'd let them stay with me.
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Frenchy
I don't believe it matters where the homeless shelter is located. Wherever there is space, wherever the people in charge want to put it, that's where it should go. If it has to be in my neighborhood, so what? These people are in need, and our community can and should help in any way we are capable of helping. What would some of the people opposed to the idea think if it was their relative who was homeless?
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Blazer422
If all you control freaks are so smart why are you not rich? If You were then you could buy the property so you could make it the way you want instead of forcing a private property owner to do what you want with with someone elses property,
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Blazer422
Where do you have the right to tell the next guy he can or cant open this type of establishment? That is the entire problem, a rule book 3 inches thick no one can acomplsh anything, if America was this way in 1776 we wouldnt exist now, if the Salvation army buys the f%%%in buidling its theirs, the should be able to do what they want with it.
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googleyeyed
The main street is zoned for retail sale businesses and the retail spaces should not be compromised for residential and office space usage.
Taxes and tax rates are higher on the business district in comparison to residential areas, to bring in revenues to operate the city.
The city of Escanaba reverted important tax receipts to the DDA for their authoritarian use.
For nearly 50 years the downtown retail district has deteriorated into a nearly non-existent retail area. The jail needs more space and does not pay taxes.
The state office building will be empty in the near future and does not pay taxes.
The downtown needs retail businesses.
The main street is nearly 90% devoid of retail sales, space that is solely for retail sales not office or residential space.
The ‘mall’ is about 64% empty or devoid of retail sale businesses, and may have reduced tax or electrical rates not available to downtown merchants.
The county need a homeless shelter.
The fair ground
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googleyeyed
Maybe these items could be considered:
Remove the retail zoning for the downtown main street location, and reduce taxes
Move any remaining retail businesses and offices to the mall, or fair grounds
Demolish remaining downtown buildings, and establish a green space, ******iniums or an RV park.
Create a grand assisted living or summer snow bird residential area in the newly demolished down town area.
Close down the mall and move the jail and the homeless shelter to the former mall location.
Create a homeless shelter, close down main street, the jail, the mall, and move all of these entities to the fair grounds.
Renovate and make the jail and state office building a short-term, 90-day, residence area and/or restaurants.
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googleyeyed
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joseen17
i like the idea for franklin school. arent they turning it into a church anyway? theres a church across the street! i have no opposition to it being on ludington theres not a whole lot going on on main until you hit tenth and beyond.
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EStacey
Well, this is either a 'topic restart' or someone didn't approve of my last comments. I say, "Buy back the Franklin School" and use that. What purpose does it solve putting it on Ludington? It needs to be 'near' food sources and 'inexpensive' clothing stores.. Addititionally, many homeless people have 'stuff' they pack around.. where will that wind up? Not every homeless body is without a vehicle, where will it park? Of course.. it's walking distance from the Jail, and Lawyers.. Franklin School.
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eskymi11
I am all for helping less fortunate people but as a downtown resident, I like the efforts that have been made to revitalize downtown. I think a homeless shelter is counter-productive to those efforts. If you like the idea of a homeless shelter so much, why don't we send them to your neighborhood. If the salvation army is advocating the shelter, why not put it out by them.Good location for walking distances to what? DHS and Salvation Army are at least 2 miles away, the only thing in downtown is St. Vincent De Paul. Grocery stores, medical, and other services are not within walking distance of downtown.
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BryanJSebeck
Robinhood, this is just a shot in the dark, but I'm guessing that property values are actually higher on Lake Shore Drive and it would cost more to locate it there.
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Robinhood
How about on Lake Shore Drive instead.
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Blazer422
Seems the city wants to designate this block some kind of historical district, I hav to wonder if that is why they are discourging the shelter, which of course is a non profit agency and may be taxed at different rates...
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eskycenteroftheworld
locate it at OSF, i hear they have plenty of empty rooms now because of their critical access application and they are always whinning about giving away free health care
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Spartytruth
I don't see the issue as one of "need" - if it's needed then do it - but why on main street?
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orphanannie
while some people are concerned about what "downtown" will look like,or where this shelter is located Im so happy to know there are still advocates out there for the less fortunate! How superficial can people get? oh no it might hinder shopping where at gus asp? The daily press? and shopping for an attorney probably means your in no postion to judge anothers walk of life! I say put it there, I mean after all these people in need will be sleeping inside, not outside remember thats the idea! and its a good location for walking distances for those who dont have the luxury of walking in the cold! grow up and get a heart
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