If it is Alan, I could add the birth rates for downtown populations. He’d be happy to see that they are dropping precipitously.
PS: did you see the Op-Ed in today’s paper?

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All:

If anyone wants the data, I am sure we (the Asheville Downtown Association) will share it. I’ll see if we can hang the entire powerpoint on our website as well, so you can download it and click through the graphics at home.

As for my comment above, how did I merit 2 thumbs down? Anyone wish to fess up on that explanation?

Cheers
Joe

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We did that video for a couple of reasons, one being that I am out of town at the National Smart Growth Conference (coincidentally presenting on the same day) and two, we wanted something YouTube-able. So whenever that copy is pressed, we’ll get it over to you. Possibly this week.
So what did you think of the presentation/data?

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You want the obvious. You’ll get the obvious. — The Shape I’m In

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with you, shrub

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I absolutely disagree that Asheville has a parking problem. We have a signage and walking problem.

That is to say: It’s hard for people unfamiliar with downtown to find the parking garages, and we need better multi-modal infrastructure.

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I am convinced that the 700 space parking deficit will disappear in the next 12-18 months as gas prices rocket. Industry estimates suggest three-digit barrel prices soon. Gas will go past $3.50 per gallon by the end of 2010 and may hit $7 by 2012.

We need to focus on transit options for the future of Asheville, not try to replicate the benefit of new parking decks which unquestionably aided downtown growth in the last century.

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Good questions, Jim. I just emailed the City Manager about posting the 2009 CAFR. Greenways spending came to a standstill a couple of years ago. The Kimberly Ave. project I’m familiar with is the road resurfacing, and I believe it’s almost all ARRA money.

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Is the city spending nothing on all these greenways proposed? Is proposed Kimberly Ave greenway benefitting from stimulous spending (with matching city funding)?

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When is the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30,2009 to be published online?

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I have cholera!

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Jim,

We haven’t budgeted any money on Greenways in years. We’re looking at the whole benefits package in next month’s worksession. Cutting the budget now will mean cutting essential city services and amenities that the community has stated their desire for. This isn’t an ideological issue, it’s a matter of our city and region’s future success. We’re all going to have to take off our ideological lenses and get down to pragmatic brass tacks. If you have ‘unnecessary spending’ you’d like me to look at, then please offer them up.

I hear Colorado Springs is cutting police officers, turning off street lights, and selling equipment rather than ask their citizens to support services. I also hear that Somalia is nice this time of year.

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The city is going to the state with hat in hand,to bad the state is broke too. Maybe they should stop expanding benefits,building “greenways” and other unnecessary spending and recognize the financial crisis the rest of us see, and cut their budget.

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