May 18, 2008
Broad Street is doing ok
Following yesterday’s look at the at the “quiet renaissance” in Jackson Ward and just in time for Broad Appetit, the RTD’s Broad St. is taking a right turn gives some good words to an area that has seen better (and worse) days:
Now, investment dollars are also trickling into a stretch in the middle — roughly from Jefferson to 4th streets. City officials haven’t attempted to quantify the investments along Broad Street but they easily exceed $1 billion.
Kevin W. Korda said his home-renovations store, Renovation Resources, could have landed in Carytown or Short Pump, but it settled at 18 West Broad St. because of the area’s artsy, eclectic mix.
“I liked the idea of developing the urban atmosphere down here,” he said. “It was really just a diamond in the rough. . . . I saw this revitalization happening here, I just wanted to be part of it.”
I am all for small businesses and the artsy mix, but there needs to be notice given to the amount of corporate welfare flowing downtown.
While City school buildings still badly need renovations and ADA, City Council is giving millions in taxpayer dollars with very little accountability.
stakolee’s Slow Death Lingers on Broad Street has a different take: