As you imagine Great Falls as you have just described, what are the most important things we can do to get there?
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More cooperation between City & County in agreeing on a South Aterial route to aleviate traffic on 10th Ave S. Additional incentives/funding to make the lower N & S residential areas more attractive for rehab.
ReplyDeleteConcentrate more on centralizing activities closer to downtown. Alleviate all of the eyesores that we currently have with our signage on 10th Avenue South - i.e., CASINO, CASINO, CASINO. Create a better atmosphere for the young folks - there really isn't anything for them right now especially in the winter months.
ReplyDeleteLocal governments need to get along and plan ahead in unism. Next time something big big big is planned (coal fired plant) respect public opinion. What may have been a good idea has turned into something that appears more as arrogance than anything else. It's divided this city.
ReplyDeleteContinue to support and fund the river trail and parks. Provide business incentives to get development downtown.... movie theater, restaurants, unique bars that have live music on the weekends. The hard part will be changing Great Falls' attitude.... currently it seems like the majority's ideal day in town is spending an afternoon at WalMart and eating at Chili's. Wahoo.
ReplyDeleteWe need to start looking for economic development. Everyone must be on board. State and Federal government must realize the problems they have allowed to happen. Common sense needs to prevail again. People need to be responsible for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure we can get there because Great Falls is not very business-friendly. Look at the cost of liquor licenses for pete's sake. We have to begin by making Great Falls a town of opportunity. Thus far the only opportunities I see are for those who already have wealth. It really is a shame. I have personally looked at franchising opportunities (like Buffalo Wild Wings) but there is no way I could ever afford or want to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a liquor license. It is ridiculous. ps. Also, get rid of gambling! All of the casinos in Great Falls is an eyesore.
ReplyDeleteInstalling/improving fishing docks or piers at parks and boat landings around Great Falls would increase the recrational opportunities for all in Great Falls. Also, the boat ramp on Broadwater Bay needs to be fixed.
ReplyDeleteCommunication needs to improve amidst all entities(government as well as citizens). The criticism needs to stop-it hasn't been constructive in a long time. Everyone needs to be open to ideas and not protest every new thing that comes in to the city. It's not conducive to businesses looking to venture in to Great Falls.
ReplyDeleteThe city needs to expand it's economy beyond what's on Gore Hill and at Malmstrom AFB. Way too many eggs in that basket. If either (or both) of those entities close down, Great Falls will turn into another Butte. Also, we need to vote competent and business-oriented people to the city council. The last election was a start, but there's a lot of work yet to be done. If the city doesn't do something to make itself more attractive to new businesses, it'll be nothing more, or less, than a retirement community.
ReplyDeleteWe need to do something more to regulate the casinos and/or the signage of the casinos - so that 10th Ave S loses its 'Vegas strip' image. The casinos are an eyesore and behind every casino is either a pawn shop or a title loan company. It's a very sad statement about our community.
ReplyDeleteWe need to promote & encourage development downtown. Our downtown is really special but in need of a boost!
Incentives balanced with regulations are needed to assist in neighborhood attractiveness and safety, open spaces and parks, and historic downtown economic development. Implement a Montana Main Street program and hire a full-time coordinator to help guide the many current efforts and organizations. Rehabilitate historic buildings - it's labor intensive keeping jobs in town. Rehabilitation requires fewer constuction materials made and shipped from out-of-state. Be environmentally responsible - recycle historic structures, fill the storefronts, reuse the existing infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteCreate a long range plan to develop the areas mentioned and invite major businesses to bring in new industries and companies to increase revenue
ReplyDeleteCulture, concerts, events that appeal to families, young people. The concerts that show up here are for the 55+ crowd. I haven't been to a concert here in years, because - frankly... I'm not that old, and I don't want to hear country or America. Seriously! Great Falls needs to get on the track of Missoula, Billings... even Butte gets more concerts and events that appeal to a YOUNGER crowd- and I don't mean metal or tired old 70's bands. The city needs to step up zoning and enforcement for signange, neon flashing lights on tenth, PALM TREES??, and clamp down on businesses that don't raise the profile of our community. Casino's, Pawn Shops, Used car lots, Check Cashing, and now this marijuana thing.. could really jeopordize this city. Bring in more big business that provide jobs, not just hourly jobs waitressing at a casino/bar/restaurant/gift store/ for the "tourists". Tourists will still come, but it's not the future. We have to invest in our city and the future. JOBS! JOBS!
ReplyDeleteThe most important things that you can do to get where I want Great Falls to be is 1) make sure a full misson remains at Malmstrom AFB 2) find new businesses that compliments our beautiful open space; help local groups find funds to increase trails; help protect some areas around the city as open space especially along the rivers; help groups find funds to clean up our rivers; and help find common ground for most citizens to enjoy our city while helpng it grow.
ReplyDeleteThere are SEVERAL things we need to do in this city AND county. First the city and county need to become more business freindly. I know several people that have moved to other cities to open a small business because they got tired of dealing with the city/county's BS. Second there needs to be a MAJOR change in the general attitude of Great Falls. People SAY they want growth , but their actions speak volumes contradicting the growth. third Employers need to step up and TRAIN young people so they do not feel kicked out this city. In addition employers need to stop using the cost of living excuse to cut pay for moving here to take the same position, the cost of living is not that different from most of the nation.
ReplyDeleteAlameda County, CA, provides an interesting case study in community transition during the decade BRAC downsized or closed half-dozen or so defense facilities, some of them quite large. Regardless of what kind of changes we seek, the key seems to be to form a very well-balanced task force that represents every stakeholder in the community as nearly as possible. If the process is dominated by, say, the realtors, or the GFDA, it will choke. A well-balanced and well-represented working group should include one of everyone: a youth leader, a retired military citizen, someone from the educational community, a city-planner or zoning type, a financial advisor, a medical professional, a soccer mom, a Native community leader, a business person, a religious leader, etc. A group of 10 to 20 people works most effectively. These folks do not need titles as much as community respect and the ability to work hard and build networks. The city should provide a modest budget for them to use. Their job is research of, recruitment for, and implementation of, the visioning we do today.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should set up that abandoned old building across from the new Federal COurthouse- I think Holman owns it? THe city should buy it and turn it into the Farmers Market or Marketplace center.. it would be a fabulous place for people to gather, hang out by the river, get on the trail.. it would be a wonderful place if the city would buy the property and set it up a marketplace or event area.
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