HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-938
CityClerk
From:s raymond <susiegrace@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, July 30, 2023 6:33 PM
To:Branson, Lisa; CityClerk; Jones, D'Andre; Moore, Sarah; Turk, Teresa; Wiederkehr, Mike;
Berna, Scott; Hertzberg, Holly; Bunch, Sarah; Mayor
Subject:Please do not allow "coalition" and Experience Fayetteville to hire a "consultant" at
$650K to come up with a "plan".
Categories:FYI
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To City Council Members and Mayor,
I have just read the newspaper article about a "Coalition" planning events for Downtown
Fayetteville. (Article on Sunday, July 30, 2023). I believe it is outrageous to pay a consultant $650K to
come up with a nebulous plan, somewhat based on a "survey". I especially find disturbing the
information that this is just to get the "plan started" and "the goal is to eventually have Downtown
Fayetteville Coalition support itself."
So, we pay a bunch of money to someone, whose ideas may or may not work, and then we have a
bunch of events that vendors charge the public a high admission fee so that the downtown events
make a lot of profit? Even though public bond money has built the infrastructure, we mostly cater to
wealthier citizens?
We already have WAC, which is a very nice organization but the events are attended by wealthier
citizens (nice except for recent PR disaster related to accepting diverse lifestyles). For citizens not as
well-off, of course the library has great events, as does the downtown Square. Theater Squared and
the CCreativeC also seem to have some reasonably priced events. Various music and craft events are
the result of private innovators.
Fayetteville doesn't seem to have a shortage of events. Currently we have a problem with
affordability, homelessness, and a lack of efficient public transportation.
I still find disturbing that some downtown spaces aren't used very much, specifically the "Town
Center" and the University of Arkansas Global Campus building. Could the city partner with the
University in some instances? Since the UA has expanded its enrollment over the past decade by
giving more assistance to out-of-state students, could the UA be asked to financially help in this goal
to make the downtown be a good and affordable experience?
I am a "senior citizen" of the community and I remember when a young person with low income
could find a place to rent within walking distance and find lots of fun things to do. I remember when
Frank Sharp wanted the city to preserve the downtown natural springs where the parking lot was
built. I remember when there was still a cement plant where the WAC is now. So, change is inevitable
but also somewhat unpredictable. So, let's not throw money away on a big "plan".
Susan Raymond
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