Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Myopia




The main thoroughfare of downtown Fredericksburg, Caroline Street, is a pleasant area filled with an assortment of interesting local businesses, restaurants, antique stores and dozens of junk shops masquerading as antique stores. The numerous side streets house additional stores, eateries and the like.

While pleasant, the main six block stretch of Caroline, from Lafayette Boulevard to Amelia Street is, a two lane, sometimes traffic clogged downtown street with parking available on both sides and sidewalks one could stroll down, once upon a time. Years earlier, when the fad of "outdoor, bistro" type seating became the rage, many of the restaurants jumped onto the bandwagon, setting up tables to accommodate those clientele; encroaching into the sidewalks, rendering them, for the most part, rather useless to walk along.

Efforts over the years to do away with or change parking along Caroline Street have been met with the wailing and beating of chests by local DRMA (Downtown Retail Merchants Association) who claim that closing the street would, in essence, take food out of their families mouths and most assuredly drive them out of business. Claims that are both sensationalistic and specious at best. The DRMA is, in my opinion, narrow minded and myopic; unable to fathom the big picture and advantages of turning Caroline street into a large pedestrian mall. It doesn't take a lot of imagination or foresight to envision the ease in which this can be accomplished and its ultimate success.

First: The simple task of changing the traffic flow on Sofia Street to One Way towards the Chatham Bridge, coupled with the already One Way traffic flow on Princess Anne Street, towards Lafayette would easily route traffic in one large loop around the area.

Second: Closing off George, Hanover, Charlotte, William and Wolfe Streets, one block North and South of Caroline would keep vehicles from mistakenly making turns and having to back out. It would also add additional pedestrian walking area to augment the Caroline St. zone.

Third: The city built a three story parking garage a number of years ago. Although in the heart of downtown, it is sorely under utilized. The garage would provide more than ample parking to compensate for the loss of spaces along Caroline St.

Fourth (and possibly most importantly), blocking off the six block area, bricking it over (or better yet, exposing the cobblestones beneath the asphalt), putting in benches and the occasional fountain would allow individuals, couples and families to safely stroll, sit, stand and socialize along its tree lined streets without fear of being run over by vehicles or having their senses assaulted by the straight pipe and thumping stereo crowd.

All of this would most certainly bring in more visitors and residents to the downtown area. More people means more business. The idea that some national chains might also open stores downtown is not far fetched. It's been known to happen in other towns. More/new businesses means more revenue for both the merchants and the city.

Sadly, many of the businesses are family owned and have been that way for generations. They are stuck in a 1960's mindset. They shout that Caroline St has ALWAYS been the main thoroughfare through the downtown shopping area! They've ALWAYS had parking outside their establishments! How can you even THINK of proposing this terrible idea? With these folks at the helm of the DRMA, new ideas are often times met with contempt. The "We've never done it that way and we're not gonna start now" mindset rules the roost.

Of course, these same merchants also loudly complain the city isn't doing enough to promote them. I say the merchants do little to promote themselves. Most are closed up tight before 6 PM every night because they don't want to be inconvenienced. They graciously offer one whole weekend where they are open late for the holiday shoppers. WOW! One weekend a year!! "Shop when we want to be in our stores, not when it's convenient for you, the consumer!" What a smart approach to marketing your business!

Fredericksburg has a cornucopia of history. Between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, George Washington's boyhood home right across the river, the city has much to offer visitors, history buffs and residents alike. It could offer so much more, be more successful, more profitable and more welcoming, if not for the shortsightedness of those merchants so opposed to change.