Middletown Forum : Downtown Revitalization Study

Middletown Forum : Downtown Revitalization Study http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : Middletown News, Info and Happenings : Downtown Revitalization Study Tue, 06 Oct 2026 02:30:25 +0000 Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:10:42 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1403 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ Downtown Revitalization Study : SpiderI was shocked when I reread... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45091&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45091 Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 1403
Posted: Mar 07 2015 at 1:10pm

Spider
I was shocked when I reread all the remarks about pouring more money into THEIR DOWNTOWN.
So now we have spent millions of dollars and how many jobs have we created in THEIR DOWNTOWN?
A better question might be..how many jobs have left THEIR DOWNTOWN AREA?
How many property taxes were lost in THEIR DOWNTOWN AREA?

And the new plan is still just like the old plan...more money to be invested in THEIR DOWNTOWN
They do not care about the real needs of the community.

]]> Sat, 07 Mar 2015 13:10:42 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45091&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45091 Downtown Revitalization Study : WOW! That was an interesting... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45090&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45090 Author: over the hill
Subject: 1403
Posted: Mar 07 2015 at 12:11pm

WOW! That was an interesting trip down memory lane. Kind of shows again why the former city manager was SO toxic to our city. IMO. ]]> Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:11:55 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45090&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45090 Downtown Revitalization Study : wow---we were pretty smart back... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45089&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45089 Author: spiderjohn
Subject: 1403
Posted: Mar 07 2015 at 9:39am

wow---we were pretty smart back then--even spider--lol

seems worse off with less optimism now, esp after realizing where it is transgressed since

and--if u read my post on 6/11 12:13pm, you will read the comment that caused me to be removed from a board member of the MCF(with pressure from the city manager in cahoots with MCF leadership to turn MCF in to the admin's piggy bank)

the whole area reminds me of a dog chasing his tail--never travels anywhere and never reaches the goal.

Which raises our perennial ?:
How long will this go on, and how much $$ will we keep throwing at it?
Amazingly many of the faces have changed, but the answer is still the same:
FOREVER
whether anything works or not

If the private sector can't make it work to any greater degree, then probably nothing at any cost will help enough

Signage in the area exemplifies the never-ending mantra
"COMING SOON"
signs that have been in place now for years.......

Full credit to all who have tried and used their own $$ and faith
bless them
You simply can't make people go somewhere or do something that they simply don't want do or where they choose to go

nothing has changed]]> Sat, 07 Mar 2015 09:39:44 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=45089&title=downtown-revitalization-study#45089 Downtown Revitalization Study : drumford wrote:Mr. Presta, FYI... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9890&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9890 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 3:11pm

drumford wrote:

Mr. Presta,

FYI there is no "s" in Rumford, many people associate our name with a previous secretary of defense which we would hope to distance ourselves from. ...

Mr. Rumford:

First and foremost, I do apologize for misspelling your name. I assure you that it was a careless, but honest, mistake and no disrespect was intended.

I will respond to the remainder of this 12:26 pm post later as I do not have time to do so right now.

Next, I am unsure if your 11:31 am post was directed towards me or not. If it was, I am confused. Please confirm.

Thank you.

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:11:38 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9890&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9890 Downtown Revitalization Study : Leo Gorcey wrote:Mr. Rumford... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9883&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9883 Author: drumford
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 12:47pm

Leo Gorcey wrote:

Mr. Rumford -

I ask you to sincerely consider the sentiments stated by Mike Presta. Those of us who know him recognize that he is a realistic and not a glad-handed spender of our children's and grandchildren's shrinking future wealth.

NRS

I do value his and others comments. I believe by talking about the issues with one another we get a clearer understanding of the truth and this provides a chance for better decisions. If there are some getting city tax money invested in thier businesses, or thier property made cheaper to buy or if the citizens of this city have invested in my property I would like to know where that is as its not showing up on my bottom line. I am not saying it couldn't be happening, I am just saying it didn't happen for me and I am not aware of it happening for someone else down here.

I can't speak to those who have recieved the facade grant money and then had their business fail or they failed to make payments. Our commitments have been honored.

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:47:45 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9883&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9883 Downtown Revitalization Study : Leo Gorcey wrote:Didn't... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9882&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9882 Author: drumford
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 12:37pm

Leo Gorcey wrote:

Didn't this City employee obtain three separate sealed contractor bids as is the requirement? When you discovered that an unscrupulous contractor was on the City's eligible bidder list, what did this public servant do to make them honor their warranty for workmanship and materials done for the previous owner?

You may not know it Mr. Rumford, but your recollections have opened a new can of worms regarding the City of Middletown. This City employee worked very closely with the deparment head on matters like this. Your project was funded with HUD Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) funds. I wish that I had learned of this sooner. Thank you!

Three bids were obtained, the lowest was accepted. The unscrupulous contractor was previous to our purchase and when I advised the lady in the city planning department about this vendor she responded that the city merely kept a list of local licensed contractors but did not endorse them. Since no permit is required for roof repairs she said it was a private matter. I have every reason to believe Skip Batan did everything required of him in this matter. He indicated the way we used the money was well within the guidelines for its use.

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:37:36 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9882&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9882 Downtown Revitalization Study : Mr. Presta, FYI there is no "s"... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9881&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9881 Author: drumford
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 12:26pm

Mr. Presta,

FYI there is no "s" in Rumford, many people associate our name with a previous secretary of defense which we would hope to distance ourselves from.

So I have heard that there have been many initiatives by the city of Middletown to do something about the downtown and using tax payer dollars to do it. Things like the mall and Lake mistake which I am sure you have valid reason to be critical of. I wonder if either of these initiatives were successful what your position would be?

I don't believe this older downtown will ever be the "center of commerce" again and wasn't under the impression it would need to be. The center of commerce today is the Interstate or the Internet so you can see the city's desire to promote the east end is supported by financial data that makes sense. Yet there is still this older downtown area that has some great resources going unused. Other communities are in the same situation that don't have half the resources this downtown has but they like ours have found other ways to make it useful again.

You will need to educate me on where the city is pouring money into the downtown these days, there is a new park but that was also federally funded. The city owes it to its constituents to promote growth all over the city through the use of creative financial incentives or tax breaks but not through direct investment. Who is the city investing in that our grand children will need to be paying for? What store fronts were invested in by the city's money and not federal grant money? If you say this is still your tax dollars being spent on downtown then I say I would rather it gets spent here than in someone elses city.

The only city issues I am aware of are those mentioned by Ms Scherrer which would be light industry being denied. I wonder how ANY business could be denied in this ecconomy so if they are then you should protest this and make it an issue for the next election. Then elect people who will do what is right for the city.

You mention those reasonable commercial rates, I wasn't aware the city was responsible for this, I purchased this building from a private individual and the only involvement by the city was approving our variance request so we could live here. I believe this is the same situation with Ed and Debbie who purchased the Sorg Opera house. The rates were reasonable because no one wanted to buy property here. So if there is a lot of city dollars being invested they aren't being invested here.

As far as city officials being in our business, there has only been ONE who has ever set foot in our studio although more have visited Ms Adrianne.

I do respect your concerns Mike and enjoy the dialog and the respect shown there. But the taxpayers did not help me with reasonable property prices, the exodus from Middletown did that. The tax payers on a national level provided one $5,000 grant to assist us (not city money). Thier rate of return has already been payed back in personal and business taxes many times over. This grant is available to you as well if you want to do what we did. I do hear you when it comes to keeping bureaucrats out of my business so if they ever show up I will call you. If you know of the city investing in anyone's personal business please let me know as I too would like to know how that works.

]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:26:42 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9881&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9881 Downtown Revitalization Study : With all due respect, doesn't... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9879&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9879 Author: drumford
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 17 2009 at 11:31am

With all due respect, doesn't most of the Cheer Leading about how great the downtown is usually come from someone like yourself who has a Financial interest to protect?

There is nothing happening there that is not Financially supported by Tax dollars. In all honesty, would you be trying to restore a building in the downtown if you were Financially on your own to do so without any Tax payer money helping to finance the Resto? I doubt it!

I guess I have to ask myself just how much Cash are We willing to put into the Down Town. The numbers so far (for the last 35 years any way) are quite staggering!

I certainly don't blame you for any of your actions and wish you luck on the Resto!

Yes, I would hope that those who have invested in the downtown would be its leading cheerleaders. As I stated the Facade grant was the only money ever offered or accepted by the city and accounts for less than two percent of our investment. We were not aware of it when we purchased our building and didn't accept it until over a year later. So it did not play a role in our decision to buy this property and if I was to have it re-assessed most likely has gone down in value just as most in the area have. At the same time we sunk quite a bit more rennovating the third floor and also replacing the roof top commercial air handler. As also was stated above this was a federal grant, no money came from city coffers. However over the last three and a half years I have been taxed by the city quite a bit more than this grant value. Outside of that the city provides the public infrastructure support they provide everyone else. If there are big city dollars going out to the folks in the downtown they skipped me. I am financially on my own with this project, happy with my decision and happy to live here. I just wanted to share a different perspective on the downtown and a little tired of hearing how dead it is when I can see progress being made all around.

Thanks for the well wishes with our success, maybe someday you will be able to say you are proud of what has been done down here and how the downtown was revitalized.]]> Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:31:39 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9879&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9879 Downtown Revitalization Study : Mr. Rumford - I ask you to... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9773&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9773 Author: Leo Gorcey
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 14 2009 at 7:03am

Mr. Rumford -

NRS

]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:03:49 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9773&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9773 Downtown Revitalization Study : drumford wrote:There is a... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9769&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9769 Author: Mike_Presta
Subject: 1403
Posted: Aug 14 2009 at 5:43am

Originally posted by drumford drumford wrote:

There is a lot of potential down here but its going to be done by those with a vision and a will to do it.
That is EXACTLY what I believe, Mr. Rumford, although I am often accused of being a naysayer! Those with a vision, AND the iron will inspired by the investment of their OWN sweat and fortune CAN get it done, and deserve to reap the rewards of their vision, sweat, and risk!!! You'll not find a more sincere cheerleader than me in such cases. And I routinely went downtown FIRST for banking, hardware, jewelry, cell phones, and other goods and services that were offered there in the past, when they were goods and services that I wanted or needed.
Originally posted by drumford drumford wrote:

It doesn't help when so many want to sit by the sidelines and heckle and pronounce the downtown dead instead of making a difference for someting they believe in.
"Downtown", "dead" or not? I won't argue as I doubt that either of us will convince the other, but if you read my words carefully you might notice that is really NOT what I have been saying! I have been saying that the area of which you speak no longer meets the definition of the word "downtown". It simply is no longer the "center of business and commerce" in Middletown.

Can this area make a comeback in some fashion? I actually believe that it can, IF YOUR recipe is followed, Sir! But the obstacle is NOT those who "pronounce the downtown dead instead of making a difference for something they believe in." No, Sir, the BIGGEST obstacle is the city bureaucrats FORCING others to try to make a difference by paying for something that they do NOT want and do NOT believe in!!!

YOU tell ME, Mr. Rumsford. Which has the greater chance of success:

1. A venture entered into by people who BELIEVE in it, and have invested their OWN hard-earned money and sweat into it?

2. A venture decided upon by bureaucrats based upon absolutely NO known economic analyses or study, and entered into by people with THEIR money sheltered from loss, and financed with money confiscated from people against their will, most of whom have not yet been born???

You see, Mr. Rumsford, the first case is what I and the others would applaud, and YOU seemed to agree with when YOU stated:

“The downtown is and will continue to become a new kind of place FUNDED by those who want to come here and give it a shot.”

Perhaps not the “center of business and commerce”, but “a new kind of place!!!”

And NOT decided upon by the bureaucrats at City Hall and financed by the unpaid taxes levied upon our children and grandchildren, but “FUNDED by those who want to come here and give it a shot” as you, yourself, stated Sir!

And I sincerely hope that those entrepreneurs who do so will live long and happily and prosper!!!

Sir, we “critics” have given you an area with the NEWEST streets, curbs, sidewalks, water mains, and streetlights in our entire city!!! We have paid for brand new store-fronts at the street and second levels. We have made available, by your own admission, some of the most reasonable commercial real estate this side of the Ohio and Miami Rivers. We are also TRYING to get the city officials out of YOUR businesses!!!

We have done so while watching our own homes sink in value, and our retirements slide into oblivion.

I somehow fail to see how we have not done enough.

]]> Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:43:13 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1403&PID=9769&title=downtown-revitalization-study#9769