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See what happens when the government runs something? Lessons in Socialism.
To build a future, Waterside might have to shed its past
Waterside needs to become more family-friendly. It needs to become festive again. It needs a quality, waterfront seafood restaurant.
But most of all, the walls built years ago need to come down, opening views of the harbor to those inside the city-owned entertainment complex.
Those were some of the suggestions from several dozen businesspeople who met Thursday morning at a downtown forum hosted by Mayor Paul Fraim.
Fraim called the meeting as part of a yearlong process to decide the long-term future of Waterside. In the short term, city officials plan to revamp the first floor by clearing out the food court and bringing in new tenants.
The city also plans to schedule more family events this spring and summer in an effort to change the troubled venue's reputation.
"We need to reposition Waterside into a place that people perceive is a family-friendly place to come," Fraim said.
Opened 26 years ago, Waterside has suffered recently because of declining restaurant business and the perception of an increase in crime.
Waterside and its attached parking garage received 332 calls for service from the police in the last year. There was a fatal shooting in the garage nearly two weeks ago.
Deputy City Attorney Cynthia Hall said the city's bar task force has clamped down on the complex's late-night venues. Police have stepped up patrols outside the venue.
See what happens when the government runs something? Lessons in Socialism.
To build a future, Waterside might have to shed its past
Waterside needs to become more family-friendly. It needs to become festive again. It needs a quality, waterfront seafood restaurant.
But most of all, the walls built years ago need to come down, opening views of the harbor to those inside the city-owned entertainment complex.
Those were some of the suggestions from several dozen businesspeople who met Thursday morning at a downtown forum hosted by Mayor Paul Fraim.
Fraim called the meeting as part of a yearlong process to decide the long-term future of Waterside. In the short term, city officials plan to revamp the first floor by clearing out the food court and bringing in new tenants.
The city also plans to schedule more family events this spring and summer in an effort to change the troubled venue's reputation.
"We need to reposition Waterside into a place that people perceive is a family-friendly place to come," Fraim said.
Opened 26 years ago, Waterside has suffered recently because of declining restaurant business and the perception of an increase in crime.
Waterside and its attached parking garage received 332 calls for service from the police in the last year. There was a fatal shooting in the garage nearly two weeks ago.
Deputy City Attorney Cynthia Hall said the city's bar task force has clamped down on the complex's late-night venues. Police have stepped up patrols outside the venue.