Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Item 1- The Curious Crisis Of Downtown

Why, we ask you, why is Downtown Salisbury so lame? On a basic level we understand that the lack of business, predominance of law offices and antique shops, and high number of vacancies are to blame for the stigma that seems to waft along Main St., but there's got to be more to it than that. So saying, in the name of Operation S.S.F.I. The Other Salisbury News has our first official assignment for anybody who wants to help:

What is really driving businesses away from downtown? What fees, taxes, maintenance issues are standing in the way of its improvement? What exactly needs to change for this to be fixed?

...We anxiously await your answers. God bless and Godspeed.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gen-Pop. They scare the regular folks.

Anonymous said...

There are other obstacles that must be dealt with to. We live in a world of conveinance. Downtown, I spent some time in a certain upper floor there in my life. You dont understand that do you? How old were you thirty years ago?

A.Adams said...

We would love to hear about those obstacles. Why don't you share?

Anonymous said...

The "Mall" killed Downtown. We live in a society that requires convenience. Shoppers would rather go to a "one-stop shop" that is the mall than go downtown just for the experience.

Anonymous said...

I would say problems are accessibility, not to say its terribly difficult to get downtown but it would be nice if there were a university bus that went down there regularly. Also what is downtown?? very little in terms of shopping and entertainment. There are a few good deli's but honestly not much in my opinion, and if there is than it is not well advertised.

Anonymous said...

SU needs to put student housing there and the rest will follow (esp your good looking girls!)

Anonymous said...

Some background for you. The plaza was created in 1968 or so. It used to be a street that cars drove on, just like the rest of Main Street. The plaza was created when the then new Salisbury Mall was built, as a way to create a pedestrian friendly environment. Hundreds of towns in the US did the same thing. Back then, Salisbury's downtown was full of locally owned retail shops. Eventually, all of those shops moved to the mall, and downtown's struggles began. It went from being the retail hub of the community, to the ghost town it is today. Retail gave way to offices. Restaurants struggled. In short, there were no people any longer, as there was nothing to attract them to downtown. The plaza needs to go. Virtually every town in the US that built its plaza has converted it back to a "regular" street. Think about the other area towns with good downtowns: Annapolis/Easton/Berlin/Rehoboth. None of them have a plaza running through it. So...this current system of 10 mph driving through downtown just won't cut it. It needs, first and foremost, visibility. Tear down the plaza and open the street. Instantly, 1000 cars a day will now be driving straight through Main Street, just like before. Then, you've got something to start with.

A.Adams said...

What you say makes a lot of sense Anon 11:11. If the plaza doesn't open up to traffic than that road that goes between the bank and the old VP building certainly could. Either way, a lack of movement through that area is definitely contributing to the problem. Thanks for your input and keep giving it! Have a good day!

Anonymous said...

I once discussed downtown Salisbury with a (then) SU senior. This was in the spring of 2009. In four years at SU, she had never, ever driven through downtown Salisbury. Barely knew it existed, in fact. This comment is not meant as a critism of anyone, just an observation. Tearing down the plaza is an expensive proposition. But think of the re-investment opportunities! By ridding ourselves of the plaza (a worthy idea at the time, circa 1968), you will create a drive through opportunity for the more than 25,000 residents who live on the Nanticoke Rd corridor.