Progress and Process
There’s more to government than meets the eye, and while the public may perceive that nothing is happening with the downtown project, I’m here to tell you that we are working hard to move things forward and make progress.
The Bristol Downtown Development Corporation (BDDC), has been holding meetings with staff from the state Department of Economic and Community Development, as we seek to resolve questions about funding and the scope of the project. Other meetings concern the expansion of the project area, and what is necessary to move forward with feasibility studies for a couple of alternative sites.
People are rightly concerned about what happens next: The Mall has now been demolished and we are awaiting RFP's to be returned to the City from interested developers.
The West End Study Group is making headway in seeking out ideas on how the west end of the City should be developed. Rockwell Park renovations are underway with a new Skate Park, entrance way and expanded parking for more citizens to enjoy the already outstanding Park system we have in Bristol.
Some things are clear. The people are watching, and they definitely have an opinion about how we should proceed. We will make sure that plenty of other opportunities and meetings are provided for people to express themselves, either in writing, in person, or at the polls. The key approach will be meetings where the public will provide their input and comments.
We’re never going to please every single person – that’s impossible. But in a democracy, we make sure that everyone has a chance to register their preference. In a representative form of government, much of the complaining and opinion-making should be directed towards the six people elected to serve each district on the City Council. Use them, make sure they know your ideas and concerns, and keep track of how well they represent your opinions.
The buck does stop at the Mayor’s desk, and I’m certainly interested in hearing from everyone. When we’re ready to proceed, I’ll be putting together some committees that will look for input from the public and make some determinations about what is the best course of action. Want to serve – let me know. Have an opinion – share it with me and the Council. We’re all committed to making Downtown Bristol a better place. We may differ on what that looks like, and we may argue about how we get there, but hopefully everyone recognizes that we must do what is best for the City of Bristol and its residents. With that goal in mind, whatever we chose will certainly have a better chance of success.
Thank you for participating in your City government. Without you, I’d be sitting on a chair somewhere, reading a book and watching the grass grow. Instead, I have the honor and privilege of sitting in City Hall, working to create a vision of a revitalized downtown, and watching the City come together and grow.