QUESTION FROM A CONSTITUENT: What is happening in downtown Ripon?
1 - Unless you have been out-of-town for the past year, you know that a number of properties downtown have purchased by an out-of-town group of investors, called Boca Grande. Some of the properties include the Republican House, Dos Gringos, Roadhouse and the Mansion on Main. In some cases, the investors bought the buildings, and not the businesses. Some business have been or will be closing or moving. I have heard from a number of residents concerned about the future of the downtown. First, we must remember this is capitalism at work. The city cannot legally and will not ethically step in to prevent any transactions. I have met the investors of Boca Grande personally, and have found them to be on the up-and-up. They have not asked for any favoritism. They believe in the downtown and the City, as a whole.
2 - Ripon Main Street, which helps promote and develop the downtown, has hired a consultant, Vanderwalle and Associated, to develop a downtown development plan. As a disclaimer, I am the chairman of the committee overseeing the planning process. A number of public meetings have been held, and the feedback, from what I have read and seen in person, has been very encouraging. People DO care about their downtown, and they do want a voice in the future. I am excited about the planning process, because it includes several componets previous studies have overlooked or focused less attention on:
* The Mill Pond, which is a part of the downtown via Silver Creek
* The "appearance" of the downtown. Sadly, Downtown Ripon is not as "green" as it could and should be, and could use an aesthetic shot in the arm
* Development on the fringes of the downtown (Thorne Street, Silver Creek Brewery site next to the library)
The consultants are currently in the process of compiling the final report, which should be available in November. If you have ideas on the downtown, share them with me - arkramer@charter.net - and let's work together. I believe Downtown Ripon's best days are still to come.
