Working Group: Springfield Revitalization Strategy

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While this discussion is somewhat off subject, it does bring up a good point.  How much has been spent on the "security fund" and would that money be better spent just getting lights in the alleys, better lights at corners,  etc.?  From what I can tell, the security force only benefited a few select areas.  Those funds should have been spread around so that more benefited. One area that did not seem to benefit was the commercial corridor along West 8th Street. 

Is lighting the alleys a positive step towards making Springfield’s commercial areas more attractive?  A sign on  95 declaring that the masses of people trucking down 95 are missing a great historic district will only work once for each if the area they initially drive into is dark a dreary. Oh, and the hookers on every corner along the way would be sure to bring those families back.

Again, I guess I’m advocating a “push” be made for West 8th Street partly because if anyone drives in from that direction to get to the great new places on Main, how many times will they do it if 8th street stays the way it looks today?   How successful will 3rd and Main be if no one wants to drive there from Shands?  How much potential traffic will the new stores miss if no one wants to drive down 8th from 95 to get there?