Nipsy More, City resident and business owner: "Businesses in the downtown are suffering. What we don't need is the government putting more rules on us property owners to make it harder and harder to keep up with our business needs. I am opposed to this further restriction on property rights and hope you will vote down this proposal."Clara Story, local historian: "One of the best amenities of the city of Rivertown is its collection of downtown historic buildings. It is important to the city's heritage to keep this area intact. A lot of work went into preparing the Study Report, and Council members should follow the recommendation of the committee."
Ima Peeples, downtown resident and President of Concerned Citizens of Rivertown: "I live in the downtown. I would like to keep the downtown like it is, but the city needs to have the deteriorated buildings, like the hotel and the burned out Discount Shoes building, fixed up to make the downtown beautiful. Having more regulations will not bring back the downtown. The priority should be to give owners enough money to at least fix up the exteriors of these buildings."
Norman Tyler, manager of the downtown First National Bank: "I have lived and worked in Rivertown all my life. It is a shame how the downtown has deteriorated over the years. Although buildings like the bank and the Dawson Building have kept their character, and the train station retains most of its former glory, right next to them are buildings like the abandoned former Discount Shoes building and the boarded up Rivertown Hotel. If a historic district can save buildings like that and bring their renovation, I am for it, but if it discourages potential investors, I think you should vote against it."
Morris Moneta, a big-time out-of-town developer: "I am currently investing in undeveloped sites in the area, including a mixed use development on the Cartwright Farm in the south part of the city, and in the surrounding area, with current initial planning for a new town development in River Township. Although I own no properties in the downtown currently, the health of the city is directly impacted by the health of its downtown. I have seen examples in other cities where the revitalization of a historic city center and rehabilitation of its buildings has brought both pride in the community and investment as well. I encourage Council to make a strong historic district, but one that is also flexible enough so it won't restrict investment from the private sector."
Voltaire McBride, Reliance College student: "I am quite active in campus activities, so I realize most kids on campus would never think of coming to Rivertown's downtown. There is really nothing there for them. I am not sure how a historic district would make downtown more appealing for students. Perhaps you could have someone put in a cool bar in a restored nightclub in the train station. That would be popular, I bet."
