Comments on: Merchants Say Bring Back the Beat Cops

By: Dave LaFave

Dave LaFave — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:56:05 +0000

Mary (#12), thank you so much for your kind words. I try to switch it up at the corner of Main and Liberty and make it interesting… not just “Oh, here’s a vase on a pedestal” sort of stuff. It’s fun and I enjoy the challenge of never repeating myself.
I also make a point of being 110% GREEN. I only use recycled materials and repurposed items. I’m quite the dumpster diver.
Anyway, Rodii – you are so right. Sidewalk furniture would be awesome as I think alot of people don’t find the edge of the giant planter pots very comfortable and hey, how about some drinking fountains that actually work? I love Main Street and Main Street has been my home for many years (I used to live in the apt. above the old Chocolate House) so I have some definite ideas about what needs to happen down there to speed improvement. As do you, Rodii. What an interesting name.

By: rodii

rodii — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:09:20 +0000

The concept of walkability usually includes lots more aspects than just sidewalks–the mix of uses and populations, for example. A place with good sidewalks, traffic calming, etc. still might not be good on the walkability scale if it was all offices without casual destinations for walkers (parks, stores, restaurants, libraries). Also things like sun and shade, air quality, street furniture, universal design, etc. Interestingly, walkable.org’s list of walkable Michigan cities includes Brighton and East Lansing, but not Ann Arbor. However, walkscore.com calls us a “walker’s paradise.”

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:05:26 +0000

Dave [#11], I’ve been a huge fan of Selo/Shevel Gallery’s window displays, and now I’m glad to know the creative force behind that work! The fact that the displays change regularly and vary stylistically makes an impression on passers-by, and that impression makes the store memorable. It’s not that I walk downtown specifically because of those displays, but it makes my downtown experience a notch better.

When I was a child growing up in Indianapolis, my family made a trek downtown every Christmas to see the department store window displays, which were magical. It was also one of the rare occasions that my parents shopped downtown – I’m sure they wouldn’t have shopped if the window displays hadn’t drawn the family there in the first place.

By: Dave LaFave

Dave LaFave — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:28:20 +0000

As the window display artist for the Selo/Shevel Gallery I am thrilled by the notion of the DDA providing money for retailers to “step-it-up” a notch. The hanging carrot of $4,000.00 may very well help some merchants spruce up their spaces! I can’t wait to hear the stipulations of these -as yet- unorganized contests.

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:26:42 +0000

“What’s wrong with “walkable”? Walkability is more than just pedestrian friendliness, isn’t it?”

I see it being the other way around, with walkable being a subset of pedestrian friendly, which extends beyond the physical infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks) to the visual experience (e.g., attractive window displays.)

By: Anna Ercoli Schnitzer

Anna Ercoli Schnitzer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:11:59 +0000

Walkable is perfect. I had a nice informative conversation with a very pleasant officer yesterday afternoon as he strolled by on Main St, whereas I never could/would have had the chance to make such a contact had he been passing by on a bike, motorcycle, or car.

By: rodii

rodii — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:39:51 +0000

What’s wrong with “walkable”? Walkability is more than just pedestrian friendliness, isn’t it?

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:22:06 +0000

I never give a panhandler money. I have seen some of the same people coma back to town as soon as the students arrive. If they weren’t making money at it, they wouldn’t be here, period. One guy has the voice and cadence of an auctioneer — when I suggested that he take that up as an occupation, he looked at me like I had totally ruined his day. If there were not an economic incentive to coming to the “rich” and tolerant town of Ann Arbor, they would not be here. So, don’t give them money and make it harder for them to operate. I bet that tony Birmingham doesn’t have the same problem…

By: anon

anon — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:07:45 +0000

I think that the merchants (and maybe some of the people posting non factual comments here) need to contact Ozone House or the Delonis Center and get educated about panhandling and the homeless.

By: Gary Salton

Gary Salton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:44:32 +0000

Panhandling is a semi-organized effort. Panhandlers talk to each other. They share opportunities–and that includes locations, strategies and tactics. If something works for one, expect the others to use it. Steve is well intentioned but his solution is destined for failure. One at a time doesn’t work. Organized efforts are best met with organized responses.

Keep in mind that panhandler’s are in it for the money. They can make $10 to $15 an hour. Beats working. Unfortunately, more than that comes out of the pockets of the merchants. To the city as a whole, its a net loss. If you want to stop panhandling, take away the economic incentive. Offer the panhandler a job (e.g., cutting your grass) rather than making a donation. Don’t worry, none of them will take it.

Like the Graffiti that plagues buildings, signs and mailboxes, panhandling is the kind of thing that signals urban deterioration. Its form of pollution or contamination. Let it go and you can watch the city degrade.