Before you start thinking this is “negative,” it is not. Actually, it represents a huge opportunity … for the Borough Council, two of Columbia’s committees/organizations: the Council Community Development Committee and/or the Columbia Economic Development Corporation and some other “smart people” in government. This is the time to step up and begin working on courting the right mix of small businesses as well as big business. People who live and work in and around Columbia and those who visit the area deserve an attractive, compelling, inviting and vigorous downtown environment.

Evidently, whatever has been happening has not been working. Isn’t it time to beat the bushes for ideas? Isn’t it time to reconsider the issue of parking enforcement? Isn’t it time to start using some of that grant-finding for downtown revival? Isn’t it time to reconsider selling “gifted property” at market prices and using the profit to attract stable enterprises?  

These empty properties on just one side of the 400 block of Locust Street offer prime retail potential.  The Morning Dove is gone; do not know whether a new tenant is in the wings or not. Today, it’s empty.

LET’S DO SOMETHING! Let’s not get stuck on the escalator!