Annapolis Capital Punishment

Sunday's Capital features an article about long term plans for keep downtown competitive in the face of PAROLE and a piece about the plans to refurbish City Dock. The Capital's photo of Economic Director (is that office director or guaranteed 100k per year Department Director?) Mike Miron and Chamber of Commerce head Bob Burdon strolling on Main Street discussing what is to be done, or some such thing.

CP has his doubts as to whether either of those two gentlemen or their respective organizations will be able to propose or lead any visionary or far-reaching effort to address this mega-problem, but the fate of City Dock can go a long way toward this goal. However, it appears that redoing City Dock with a multi-million dollar makeover will miss the point if we continue to use Maryland's finest real estate outside of Ocean City for a parking lot. You know, the place that causes traffic tie-ups, detracts from the attractive environment, and just allows cars to sit all day, taking up space while the city takes in a few quarters.

If we are to truly make Annapolis greater and keep it special, we must capitalize (yeah capitalize) on what is great and special. Hmmm, what might that be? Historic buildings? Scenic views? Crowds of people gathering? Boats? Walkabality? If we try to compete with or be like Parole, we may as well just bulldoze, pave over and start again with parking lots. CARS DO NOT GO INTO STORES AND SPEND MONEY....(except in a few situations) BUT PEOPLE WALK INTO STORES AND SPEND MONEY. So, why do we make downtown more and more car-oriented when what makes us special AND ATTRACTIVE and different is the exact opposite? Now, do any of us really think that The Chamber of Commerce has seen the light? Do we think the same folks that brought us The Market House will bring us better things?

Finally, IF, and that is a big "IF", sea level rises dramatically, and we get more and more floods downtown, maybe we should be building City Dock to withstand and somehow abate these floods? We are not doing that. It will be a long, long time before Parole gets flooded, but downtown?? Fatti Maschi, Parole Femina...