DEAR EDITOR:
Denise Baer Apuzzo recently wrote a column on downtown Gilroy.
Among other things, she said,
”
I have come to the conclusion that our downtown is never going
to be a vibrant downtown like Morgan Hill.
”
DEAR EDITOR:
Denise Baer Apuzzo recently wrote a column on downtown Gilroy. Among other things, she said, “I have come to the conclusion that our downtown is never going to be a vibrant downtown like Morgan Hill.” On Aug. 12, Tom Mulhern wrote a similar column saying that change was inevitable and “maybe there just won’t be another downtown, ever.”
We beg to differ with both columnists. First, we do not want a vibrant downtown like Morgan Hill. We want a vibrant downtown for Gilroy. It will be alive and will have the characteristics of Gilroy. Secondly, while the clinic may be a setback, there are numerous other positive signs of a “real downtown.” While we cannot pretend to know all that is going on, we do see a critical mass beginning to develop.
• The city is offering some incentives to downtown development by easing the permit burdens.
• The city streetscape project is rolling along. It will go from Seventh Street to just north of Old City Hall.
• Old City Hall will reopen soon. Two restaurant venues are part of this first phase. Assisted parking will be available. In January 2004, a Restaurant Academy will open followed by a bakery and wine center.
• Station 55 is completing a remodeling project that includes outside seating, a new entrance and a large awning. The upstairs’ outside deck is scheduled for remodeling soon.
• The Strand is doing a great job of attracting some marvelous entertainment and is providing a southern flavored option for eating out.
• Some downtown restaurants are talking about ways to work together by sponsoring progressive diners and diner theaters.
• Traffic to established downtown eateries like Coffee Roasting Company and OD’s continues.
• More and more of the antique shops downtown are looking better and more sophisticated.
• At least two developers are working on downtown buildings. Gary Walton is developing the building next door to Old City Hall. Other developers are working on the Lawton building, former home of Gavilans’s SBDC.
• The mixed-use building at 5th and Eigleberry, developed by Gary Walton, is already bringing new people and businesses to the downtown.
• Someday the Cultural Center will call downtown home.
• Rod Diridon has expressed interest in brings a train museum to the downtown.
Good things are happening downtown. As residents in the downtown area, we are proud to be associated with the downtown in general and specifically with Old City Hall. Watch for announcements on the reopening of Old City Hall sometime in September.
Changes are happening now. They might not be as dramatic as a new shopping center growing out of an empty field but the changes are substantial, significant, vibrant and real.
Larry J. & J.Chris Mickartz, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Aug. 18, to ed****@****ic.com
