Ward re downtown revitalization

• Democratic mayoral contender Art Ward issued the following statement Sunday about downtown revitalization:
  
  Responsible management of a city requires careful consideration and substantive action on fundamental issues of concern to the citizens: areas such as roads, schools, parks, refuse collection, snow removal, flood control and a vibrant economic foundation are the basis of a viable community.
  
  The development of Bristol's downtown is obviously an area of major significance if we are to move forward as a progressive, proactive community. Bristol needs a promising vision for future generations. The next mayor must recognize the need for physical and better economic viability of the heart of our city. Supporting proper planning with community involvement will create a positive measure by which new residents and potential new businesses will be able to evaluate the virtues of our beloved community.
  
  I envision a downtown with greater private investment that creates new places to live, work and shop -- new stores, new restaurants and new apartments --Apartments that will replace rundown units, along with continued efforts for the restoration of historic housing and buildings. I believe that positive actions will lead to more enthusiasm for the surrounding Federal Hill and West End restoration efforts and for Bristol being viewed by our children and newcomers as a favored community in which to live, work and play.
  
  Ideally, we need to create of an environment which integrates the best of the new, along with the best of the old. We need a pedestrian friendly atmosphere that provides a myriad of opportunities to enjoy and cherish our downtown and invites shoppers and visitors to see Bristol as a destination for both shopping and recreational needs. A better downtown can only enhance our quality of life.
  
  Improving the current situation can be realized by first asking ourselves "what will the future of our community be if we don't aggressively approach this opportunity today?"
  
  The current mayor campaigned on downtown and criticized every alternative as if HE had a plan but, ultimately, the fact is that this administration has produced no positive initiatives to date. I think many of us find it quite disheartening. when I reflect back and remember the campaign promises of Mayor Stortz, the man who sat and criticized every thought and action of the previous administration at every public meeting on downtown redevelopment. I cringe when I reflect on In the past 19 months, and realize that the person who ran as the man with a promise of a different course of action, virtually has produced virtually no plan at all and certainly no action. Establishing an expensive new private corporation, at a cost approaching over $400,000.00 is still not a plan. It is merely a new committee with new and duplicative expenses.
  
  It makes good sense to use the staff you have before you spend additional sums. I fervently advocated using the present (BDA) Bristol Development Authority to direct these downtown efforts in accordance with their duties. (The mayor suggested he wanted to by-pass a staff member he refused to work with.) Because the mayor made it clear that he would take no action without getting his way, in the spirit of cooperation, I voted with an apparently scripted majority to establish his new Downtown Corporation. Still, nothing has happened. For instance, it took nearly two months after he received our nominations for the mayor to name representatives to the new board. This is mayoral action in a geologic time frame.
  
  It is time for positive action. It is time for optimism. Private developers have already expressed interest in our downtown. National trends show that retailers are once again viewing downtowns as good investment opportunities for tomorrow. Route 72, a key transportation link to downtown, is finally moving forward and this site is the only major retail site of this size that is left in our community. Existing proof of the positive results of downtown revitalization are reflected in the increase in private investment in the North Main Street area by entities such as Sovereign Bank along with ongoing beautification efforts of the business community of that area.
  
  When the City sells the property to a private developer, taxpayers will recover a good portion, if not all, of the money they have invested so far. To delay is not fiscally responsible.
  
  This City should not delay any longer. We must get this property back on the tax rolls with a well qualified developer and we must initiate the process of downtown revitalization as soon as possible. As mayor I will limit the spending of the corporation and draw its work to a prompt conclusion. It needs to be soliciting the plans of private developers and not paying for its own plans. It must solicit new private development by January 2008 or I will have the BDA do so as part of their regular duties. I want to be able to evaluate competitive plans from qualified developers by June of 2008.
  
  I believe that mayoral leadership can make a difference in forging positive actions for a new downtown Bristol. It is time to eliminate the political rhetoric and encourage and evaluate the interests of private developers who have already expressed interests in downtown Bristol while also encouraging the input of all other interested parties to become a part of the process. The time has arrived to identify those developers who possess the experience, the foresight and the financial resources to make bonafied investments in our community.
  
  It is about time, it is about our future and it is long overdue.
  
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  Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com