I am 40 years old and Anderson is my hometown. When I was a small child, I remember Downtown Anderson busy and full of large department stores like Gallent Belk, J.C. Penny, Bailes, Sears, etc... By the early 1980`s, most of the stores wewre leaving. Buildings became empty and in disrepair. The see the rebirth that is happening in Downtown Anderson is truly an amazing and beautiful thing! All local Anderson folks should become involved in Anderson civic clubs and organizations and all help to contine to enhance the beauty that is taking place Downtown Anderson.
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Downtown Anderson is being reborn in a dramatic way! Everyone needs to help....
Anderson retro,
As a resident of Anderson County for 41 years, I also remember the day when Downtown was the heart of Anderson County. It was unfortunate that city leaders during the seventies and the eighties were sleeping at the wheel, while Downtown faded away. However, the City has taken courageous steps to bring Downtown back to life. Among actions taken are the following:
•Hiring Arlene Young, Downtown Development Director, and Luci Vaughn, Downtown Project Coordinator, have proven to be wise decisions.
•Establishing Downtown Development Commission, with regular meetings, ensured community involvement.
•Downtown Streetscape improvements, with a $3 million commitment, are expected to be finished during the spring of 2009.
•Plans for redevelopment of the former Belk Site are expected to be complete by the fall of 2010. Civic Square Development, owned by Anderson native David Agnew, has presented a proposal for 50-room, high-quality hotel, a meeting facility, restaurant, and retail space.
•Construction of the Parking Garage should be completed by April of 2009.
•Many businesses have taken advantage of Downtown revitalization, in addition to many apartment dwellers, and the best is yet to come.
While hating to be the ever-present neysayer that i am, I HAVE to interject. Revitalitaztion is not benefitting everyone. So far the only ones reaping rewards are wealthy and alcoholics who can afford private Jazz clubs or cigar bars. Speaking with at least two storefront owners operating shops downtown, they are NOT happy with the type of projects being brought in, and not pleased with the money spent so far to "improve" downtown. One owner agreed with me that a venue such as Tower Records/Music would be an ideal fit, drawing the NEEDED youth money and invigoration needed. So far, the "new businesses" consist of private clubs, way-overpriced restaurants which are not open late or on weekends, and hotels like Chichola which also are private.
Nothing is planned or presented for families with young kids, 20-somethings not old enough to drink ( legally anyways...), middle income or a mix of citizens. Downtown NEEDS something which invites citizens to remain for hours at a time, spending money in different shops and coffee houses. Even opening a cinema would be a great idea, and would utilize the new parking lot during the weird hours it would be empty. Not everyone is enthralled by specialty bars selling memberships ( and still excluding smokers for $200. a head), or $11.00 hamburger joints. Unfortunately rents on those old and badly deteriorated buildings will not support shops like a 5 & dime nick-knack store, small mom&pop stores, a Baskin-Robbins would be great too, or a Dairy Queen, even a Mickey-D's. Sure would LOVE a bowling alley on this side of town, and an arcade. BAttlecats finally opened up it's doors, but just a bit off the beaten path of "DOWNTOWN". No open spaces are also present on any of these plans Ive seen either. No bike paths, no dog-walk areas, no picnic places, no benches, no tree-lined gathering spots during summer events like outdoor concerts or chili cookoffs unless you love strolling down wide opened asphalt streets in the heat..
Going "cheap" means more money available, for other places to share in consumers' cash. I tend to agree with the store owner that $3million for fancy brickwork ( and poorly designed parking lanes with NO BIKE LANES STILL...) would have been better used to provide greenery, trees, benches and arenas for music and concerts.
Author edit: I'd like to share my experience with my hometown of Sacramento, California. Those who know history recall Sacto was the end of the line for the Pony Express and hub for the gold rush in the 1800's. Hundreds of wonderful and historic buildings were located near the capitol and waterfront. However, decades of neglect left the once pristine downtown area the center of homeless, crime and gang activity. Downtown in the late 60's & early 70's was a mirror image of Anderson today; derelict and burnt-out buildings, empty store fronts, blight and vanishing businesses left & right. During the late 70's and into the 80's, investors saw how much of a gold mine was not being taken advantage of. By the Bicentennial ( 1976 for those forgetting their history) empty stores were gutted and exterior facades rekindled. An old historic riverboat, called the DIxie Queen, was dragged up the Sacramento River fromthe Delta and permanently moored. A multi-million dollar restoration was done, and the riverboat now plays host to presidential galas, summertime Senior balls and dances, and has two seperate dining halls, multiple bars and a dance club. Dozens of specialty stores popped up, prompted by low-cost loans sponsored by government and local initiatives. Horse drawn carriage rides, light rail, boat rides and AMTRACK all used this new hub as their home.
http://www.10best.com/Sacramento,CA/Attractions_&_Activities/Family_Vacations/
My mistake, the riverboat is named the Delta KING, not Queen. Look at these links for small inkling of growth done in this area, which directly resembles Anderson Downtown in so many ways ( except no river in front...)
While hating to be the ever-present neysayer that i am, I HAVE to interject. Revitalitaztion is not benefitting everyone. So far the only ones reaping rewards are wealthy and alcoholics who can afford private Jazz clubs or cigar bars. Speaking with at least two storefront owners operating shops downtown, they are NOT happy with the type of projects being brought in, and not pleased with the money spent so far to "improve" downtown. One owner agreed with me that a venue such as Tower Records/Music would be an ideal fit, drawing the NEEDED youth money and invigoration needed. So far, the "new businesses" consist of private clubs, way-overpriced restaurants which are not open late or on weekends, and hotels like Chichola which also are private.Nothing is planned or presented for families with young kids, 20-somethings not old enough to drink ( legally anyways...), middle income or a mix of citizens. Downtown NEEDS something which invites citizens to remain for hours at a time, spending money in different shops and coffee houses. Even opening a cinema would be a great idea, and would utilize the new parking lot during the weird hours it would be empty. Not everyone is enthralled by specialty bars selling memberships ( and still excluding smokers for $200. a head), or $11.00 hamburger joints. Unfortunately rents on those old and badly deteriorated buildings will not support shops like a 5 & dime nick-knack store, small mom&pop stores, a Baskin-Robbins would be great too, or a Dairy Queen, even a Mickey-D's. Sure would LOVE a bowling alley on this side of town, and an arcade. BAttlecats finally opened up it's doors, but just a bit off the beaten path of "DOWNTOWN". No open spaces are also present on any of these plans Ive seen either. No bike paths, no dog-walk areas, no picnic places, no benches, no tree-lined gathering spots during summer events like outdoor concerts or chili cookoffs unless you love strolling down wide opened asphalt streets in the heat..
Going "cheap" means more money available, for other places to share in consumers' cash. I tend to agree with the store owner that $3million for fancy brickwork ( and poorly designed parking lanes with NO BIKE LANES STILL...) would have been better used to provide greenery, trees, benches and arenas for music and concerts.
Author edit: I'd like to share my experience with my hometown of Sacramento, California. Those who know history recall Sacto was the end of the line for the Pony Express and hub for the gold rush in the 1800's. Hundreds of wonderful and historic buildings were located near the capitol and waterfront. However, decades of neglect left the once pristine downtown area the center of homeless, crime and gang activity. Downtown in the late 60's & early 70's was a mirror image of Anderson today; derelict and burnt-out buildings, empty store fronts, blight and vanishing businesses left & right. During the late 70's and into the 80's, investors saw how much of a gold mine was not being taken advantage of. By the Bicentennial ( 1976 for those forgetting their history) empty stores were gutted and exterior facades rekindled. An old historic riverboat, called the DIxie Queen, was dragged up the Sacramento River fromthe Delta and permanently moored. A multi-million dollar restoration was done, and the riverboat now plays host to presidential galas, summertime Senior balls and dances, and has two seperate dining halls, multiple bars and a dance club. Dozens of specialty stores popped up, prompted by low-cost loans sponsored by government and local initiatives. Horse drawn carriage rides, light rail, boat rides and AMTRACK all used this new hub as their home.
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-wyatt1sc
Wyatt: You are wasting your efforts. Anderson is happy with percieved progress and unhappy with REAL progress. Too many in Anderson resist anything that might make them appear envious of Greenville, let alone some other place, such as Sacramento, Ca. Art's reports mirror these views, over-joyed by percieved "progress." To his credit, he tries, which is more than some do.
I really see that much progress is being made downtown. Just look at all the great things and buildings that have been reborn in the last 2-3 years! It really is amazing! It is only the beginning!! Just think of the great progress in the next 5 or so years!!!
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I HAVE to interject. Revitalitaztion is not benefitting everyone. So far the only ones reaping rewards are wealthy and alcoholics who can afford private Jazz clubs or cigar bars.
[url]
-wyatt1sc
Now that's funny considering who hangs out down at Sullivan's all the time and his recent windfall. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
Retro, Sorry that I don't share that optimism with you. I see only a few selected buildings which cater to ( as I already stated) the wealthy and by exclusive membership. Downtown NEEDS something for everyone to enjoy, rich & poor, young and old alike. The Chicola ain't for anyone without $5K to enter. Heck, we couldn't even enter during the Downtown Sounds and have a drink afterwards ( c'mon Opie, waiting for the smak-talk...don't disappoint now!). And as I don't partake in Sullivans' expensive fare, or BurgundyBlues club ( still think $200. to enter a club is elitist and bad form for bringing people downtown) what do you suggest is "exciting" about downtown? Fancy brick walkways? Motel rooms? A parking garage? OOOOOHHHHH, AHHHHHHHH. Maybe if I wanted to park my Lexus, walk along those brick inlaid sidewalks ( and maybe bump into a 'stroller' on my way) to the motel for a $12.00 drink and an afternoon tryst, I'd be fine. But other than that, what are you proposing downtown offers for entertainment, affordable eateries, theatre, cinema or recreation?
Art Kaldas is an optimist, and to his credit I am glad he is. Art just needs to get on board with the philosophy regarding downtown Anderson's overall plan needing to be for "everyone", and not just the "HAVES".
I love Burgundy Blues! It's $ 175.00 a year for a membership for a couple, that's $ 14.58 a month for two people! They also have several nights that are open to the public for a small cover (I saw one was 5 bucks) She decided to do the membership because she is bringing in musicians from places like New Orleans and New York, and she needs the money already in the bank, not contingent on cover charges. We especially love that it is smoke free!
I would say that if you want to do something downtown on the cheap, go to dinner at Mattys or the Pub ( kids meals at the pub are 3.50 I think, adults can eat sandwiches) and then go to a play at ACT (6 bucks a ticket when I went last year). If you have money left, go to the ice cream parlor next to the courthouse.
I don't think it is elitist to have downtown be nice, attractive, and mostly for adults at night. I know that no one wants to hear anything about Greenville, but their downtown is amazing, which draws new citizens into the community. It is impressive, and people remember it.
There are still things that we need downtown (a small movie theater, more usable greenspace, etc), but we don't need a WildWings or a (insert generic "Western" chain) or a fast food joint.
The other night when I went downtown for dinner and music I was amazed at the number of people walking around. I think things are really starting to take off!
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Grr! I'm calling Lefora. I just typed this entire reply that disappeared! Grrrr! I don't have time to redo it either.
Virginia, e-mail Vinnie at chief@lefora.com and tell him what happened with the posts you lost. They're aware of the problem, but I'm not sure they realize that it's affecting almost everybody.
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause after all.
Us po' folk just never saw paying $200. extra , just so we can give someone MORE of our money to be fed or entertained. Obviously it brings in a "better class' of people, but how does that not make it elitism?
As a strong proponent of green space & grass vs. concrete, bike paths to reduce congestion, transit and "free"venues, I feel stongly that an enterprising investor will see that during such stressful economic times the need to give more value for your too-few dollars is paramount. WildWing, nah. More alcohol & bars, Nah! Bowling alley and arcades, yea. Affordable eats ( I ain't a burger fan BTW) and even a movie theatre or skating rink is right on target. You DO realize that Anderson only has one bowling alley for 140,000 people, and one & a half rinks for kids. The Ice cream parlor across from courthouse is nice, albeit expensive( $4.00 for a cone?) but still on the right track of FAMILY orientated. Families are what brings in money, not a few businessmen boozing it up at the Blues club and then driving around downtown afterwards. You brought up greenville, so what brings in 2,500 to 5,000 people a weekend when NOTHING is happening in Downtown Greenville? Affordable sandwich shops, the usual Mickey D's, Burger King and JITB, many, many specialty shops and boutiques, art stores, book stores, a music store, several coffee shops, two pool halls and (gulp) a WildWing Cafe and a few other bars. Plus there is green spaces like Falls Plaza, walkways everywhere, benches and trees, Piazza Bergamo with music and concerts, plus Peace Center with Broadway and musical events. I'm not including the hotels which also offer bars, music or clubs. That is a mix of venues which brings them in week after week.
I STILL believe that a Comedy club is EXACTLY what we need downtown! There is NO venues in the upstate except Bi-lo center, only in Atlanta or Charlotte. What a coup that would be for US. Once the club in Columbia disappeared, there hasn't been a decent comic here in years ( James Gregory doesn't count) unless you went to GREENVILLE Bi-Lo center and watch Jeff Dunham or Ron White at $90. a pop. Want to charge for entertainment & alcohol? You'll make your money from the college and 30-somethings any day of the week. I'll pay for real comedy any day. Ever go to a real Comedy club, sold out for weeks and charging three times rate for booze and food.
Shoot, just put on some of the posters here so I can heckle them in PERSON. I pay a dollar for that!
Art Kaldas is an optimist, and to his credit I am glad he is. Art just needs to get on board with the philosophy regarding downtown Anderson's overall plan needing to be for "everyone", and not just the "HAVES".
-wyatt1sc
Wyatt 1 SC,
Revitalization of Downtown Anderson is a balancing act. The city government, elected and appointed, planted the seed. At the beginning, only those with deep pockets were willing to take the chance, as the developers of the Chiquola, the Calhoun, and Sullivan Metropolitan. In time, others as shoe repair and alteration shops started to join the party.
The City of Anderson has to walk a fine line between assertively promoting Downtown and not becoming too aggressive, since failure is not an option. However, remain assured that the City Council, the City Administration, and Downtown Mangers and Commission are focused on moving forward. In addition, they are listening attentively to any new ideas or concerns by community members, and many of them do read this Forum on regular basis.
Now Wyatt you know there is a comedy club held the twice a month. Its called The Anderson County Council Mettings
Since color has become an issue lately, I have to ask- how many black people have you seen while touring the downtown? If we're catering to all of Anderson, that seems to be a really big group that hasn't been considered.
Now Wyatt you know there is a comedy club held the twice a month. Its called The Anderson County Council Mettings[image]
-angelsc
Now THATS hilarious!!!!!! A big thumbs UP!
Since color has become an issue lately, I have to ask- how many black people have you seen while touring the downtown? If we're catering to all of Anderson, that seems to be a really big group that hasn't been considered.
-confused
Interesting question. Unfortunately it would be "racist" for me to presume why the black community is not represented, even on THIS blog. As a point, last council meeting had the LARGEST turn out of black citizens I've seen in many moons.
Maybe it is because the typical Andersonian-black person cannot afford Chicola, Sullivans or BurgundyBlues? They may have an allergy to tin-foil hats or aversion to B.S., which flows from Council chambers. Im just saying....
Now Wyatt that is UGLY.
Where did the new lettering and smiles come from? YUCK
What's typed is different except that ugly smile
JD, regularity might help a large part of Anderson - don't you think?
Does the downtown cater to any of the average citizens? I think that's why Matty's has done as well as it has. I don't like it because it's noisy and has kids, but that's the average person.
Wyatt, all I can say to the heart is =================== 
Confused...
The "new stuff" popped up all on it's own,and I am GLAD it did. At least now my posts get posted, the words don't disappear, and I don't have to clip/copy/paste three times for each reply. Maybe all that pounding and hammering on the keyboard worked some demon into it.
I can even make bigger words or prettier words, or regular type, or underline words!
These are the standard smileys:
and just for you...
It's part of Lefora's redesign of several functions, including combining the two different comment boxes we used to have to choose between into just one. As for fonts, I'm still trying to figure out how to get mine back to the original default font. Today was the first day of it.
For those of you who like to space between paragraphs, since we don't have an indent feature here, you now have to hit ENTER at the end of one paragraph, then put in a couple of spaces on the next line and hit ENTER again. If you just hit ENTER twice, it won't space because it automatically deletes the second one.
Now, if they could just find a way to eliminate the slow posting, the double posting and the chronic lost posts, I'd be happy as a pig in mud.
