Is there more money in the bank?
I was on one of my early morning strolls the other day and started wondering about the new Monroe Bank & Trust building. Does anyone have any opinions or hard evidence of what effect the new bank building has had on downtown.
Good or bad, can anyone say what's it has done or hasn't done for Monroe?
Totally unrelated, does anyone know the story behind the young girl they found unconscious in St. Mary's Park early last Friday morning? Apparently she was around 15 and surrounded by pills and was laying near the picnic shelter. Does anyone know the circumstances and if she's okay?
Good or bad, can anyone say what's it has done or hasn't done for Monroe?
Totally unrelated, does anyone know the story behind the young girl they found unconscious in St. Mary's Park early last Friday morning? Apparently she was around 15 and surrounded by pills and was laying near the picnic shelter. Does anyone know the circumstances and if she's okay?
posted by The Observer at 6/21/2007 12:05:00 PM
10 Comments:
What kind of effect would you expect? The construction crew took up parking during the entire project. Although MB&T owned the lot where they built the building, they took what turned downtown into a nice open community where you could see businesses on Washington from Front and vice versa, and built it back into simply straight streets and buildings. Even though it was a parking lot, it gave the feel of an open park like setting. It also gave the impression that downtown had enough parking, maybe just because it could be seen. Also, businesses could buy tokens for the parking, but now that is not an option, even in the rear lot. In my opinion, this building should have been built where it had originally been planned, on Macomb St. Now who knows what really happened. I know that it was meant to be on Macomb when Mr. Laboe was the president. Mr. Chafin came in, got sucked in by our mayor at the time who promised smooth operations as long as they agreed to build in the present location. There was grant money given, promises made, maybe even some back room dealings between Chafin and the top three at the time (Iacoangeli, Manns, and Tallerico) but the bank got its headquarters, so I'm sure there will be no forthcomings from Mr. Chafin.
Now, what did the rest of the town receive: NA DA
What did they lose:
-Parking that was available.
-A new construction exceeding the three story limit in a historic downtown.
-Businesses who relied on parking during the construction.
-An alley which is absolutely horriffic. (now you may say the alley is the city's problem, but the alley was not in that condition when the bank started its construction)
-Due to the construction, landlords lost revenue due to the space left by MB&T consolidation being practically given away by the bank. (mainstreet office pays what, Utilities? And the community foundation is paying way below market rate for the former Elliot's Building)
Well, enough on my opinion of the building and it's possible effects. I am interested in what business owners may have to say.
Beneteau if you're going to make statements like back room dealings between Iacoangeli, Tallerico and Manns, prove it or why don't you ask Mr. Chafin what really happened before you make statements like that or don't you want to hear how Cappy screwed up the deal?
I am sure if something is screwed up Dave Smith did it.
Brian was seen talking to Smith. I bet they were talking about Compora
Horriffic is the word Cpmpora uses. It is her for sure.
If you make something any idiot can use just who do you think will use it?
I think I will go on TV and have a good cry!
Londo is correst. People do not have rights. Up your...
Monroe Bank has simply completed what they set out to do. They tore down old unsightly buildings, which were obsolete, and built a new state of the art headquarters. I agree with city resident that the original location was Macomb St. No one in their right mind would spend what the bank spent on their parking lot, only to turn around an tear it up. Not even MBT with their kind of money.
I hope the alley gets fixed as well. I need a shoe shine every time I go to McGeady's. Is it the bank's duty or the city's?
As long as talking about alleys, what about the one between Rivers Edge and the U&I Bar? It's an ankle twister which needs help. Is that the city's also?
One further. How about the alley leading back to the riverwalk by Advance Temporary? I went for a walk last week Thursday evening, and it was a spooky place to be. It could use some better lighting at least.
I like the new building and location. I have no "hard evidence" if this is a positive or negative. I do know that several local business have used the fourth floor meeting room for staff trainings. I am not really concerned with what the DDA / Main street pays for rent, it's it my tax dollars and I feel no obligation to support landlords with them. I am glad that the Community Foundation was able to secure a decent place as there former location was the DTE building (also well below market rate).
No, disrespect to anyone’s thoughts or opinions, but, I think the "parking" issue is so overplayed that for me I am tired of it. It is almost like we use "parking" as an excuse. Reality is that if the attractions and accommodations were what people wanted and if business were open beyond banker’s hours our downtown might be more vibrant. The observer was right that downtown is in an active period. We should still strive for more. I too, spend a great deal of time downtown and I typically notice (especially during the spring, summer and fall) that St. Mary's lot is never more than 1/2 full after 4 PM. After five (when most of us are off work) parking spaces are available on nearly every street. The old UW building parking lot is never more than 1/2 filled after 4 PM. I would wager my beloved Elvis Velvet painting (Elvis during the Aloha Hawaii TV concert (with Lay)) on this; per capita Monroe has more parking than Ann Arbor, Saline, Roseville, Sylvania and Adrian. Maybe we are just lazier and don't like to walk? I would love for the downtown business to be open when I can go into them - you know, when I am not at work (after five and Saturdays)! This may prevent me from going elsewhere.
The alley's downtown are starting to look (and smell) bad. The "alley" next to River's Edge is more of a ravine than anything else (maybe when winter comes we can go snow sledding?).
I hate to bring this up (again) but what is up with the living room furniture by the old Ray's Music? I am cool with folks having tenets but I am not so cool with chaining your bike to the streetlamp (do like many of us who lived in apartments did - take it upstairs) or with dragging furniture out to the sidewalk so you can "hang out" (by the way - if the ALANON Club wants an outdoor patio / cafe like Beeks or McGeady's than request permission from the City and put up rails. Stop dragging chairs outside and hanging wherever. (OK those are just my whines for the week).
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