Dear Editor:
In perusing the opinion page of the Dispatch over a period of a
few weeks I’ve read two articles denigrating downtown and one
liking downtown.
Dear Editor:
In perusing the opinion page of the Dispatch over a period of a few weeks I’ve read two articles denigrating downtown and one liking downtown. These were not by amateurs but by regular columnists. One could see no way to fix downtown, but to demolish it and start over. The last column rather liked downtown.
I didn’t like the two that denigrated downtown, because they didn’t give a credit to the good things there. First a great number of people are working and taking home paychecks; second there are several restaurants I’ve sampled a few times and found the food good, the service excellent, and the people friendly.
The people of the area are friendly, helpful, while the stores are clean and presentable. Downtown is a going concern. It needs some help.
Number one: remove all the trees and leave parking as it is. Removing the trees allows the storefronts to be visible to motorists and walkers alike. It would entice the owners to dress up their storefronts, add some shrubbery, flowers, awnings, etc. Some very nice murals have appeared and look great. If each store used names and advertising graphics it would be colorful and interesting for people to see what is going on, and view what is actually a nice part of the city.
The slalom course created by the various lanes of traffic really has two purposes. We, the locals are used to it now and it is a good control on speeders, etc. Also it allows one to pull off and check a store a little closer.
Gilroy’s Downtown is real and down to earth. All it needs is a little sprucing up and a good coat of paint. As the city has over the years helped downtown into its present condition, it should pay the cost and make it into “Postcard” condition.
Sandoe Hanna, Gilroy
Submitted Wednesday, Feb. 5
