If You Build It

While this story provided a great, honest and clear look at our dear city's efforts in downtown and overspending and mismanagement of public funds - however, there are several simple things that could get the Carnival Center, Bicentennial Park and the remainder of the area under reconstruction that could go far in making the most of what we have.

First of all, will the sidewalk in front of American Airlines Arena north to Bicentennial Park EVER be completed? It's been ripped up, laid down, ripped up again for the last seven months since I moved into the Carnival Center neighborhood - and causes unnecessary traffic congestion and delays. Granted, the opposite side of the street is under major development, but the arena is just fine.

In any city, the theater district is alive with jazz clubs, coffee shops, bistros and other fare to provide a comprehensive experience for the visiting socialites. Not so in the Carnival's neighborhood. Sure, we have Mikes at the Venetia, but getting past the homeless, bus terminal and shuttered buildings may slow them down, let alone getting to the Grand for a little sophisticated dining. It's sitting in the center of nothing - and there seems to be little to no activity in the surrounding blocks of any new developments. Everyone is waiting.

Poor planning always leads to failure. You can't do things piecemeal - you have to have a plan. And follow it.