Reader comments
Provo seeks comments on downtown

My comments are:

Get rid of the islands on Center street. I avoid it like the plague. It is just a hassle to drive through. You never know when someone is going to back out of the middle parking places.

Then tear down all of the dilapidated looking buildings. Yeah you can call some of them history but they still look horrible and no one will come downtown to see them.

Get rid of the bars and dance clubs.

Make it kid friendly and welcoming instead of feeling like you are entering a refugee camp.

You just don't understand. Those "islands" are specifically there to slow down traffic and make it a more walking friendly "mall." They do that all around the country in "walking malls" that mirror the Riverwoods Mall. Nation-wide they are having huge success with this model. I have been to national conferences, at least three different ones in three different states, where different speakers (not from Utah) have put up pictures of downtown Provo as an example of what you should do. Is it somewhat run down? Yes. Does it need to be redeveloped? Yes. But the original theme should be maintained and you must keep the large canopy of shade trees that make it so much more inviting. Welcome to a new century.

In order for Provo to get better in any way, you have to start at the top. How about with a Mayor that actually has leadership skills, knows how to treat people, and can actually manage a City. Ten years after taking over we are now facing million dollar deficits. Services are spread to thin and declining. iProvo is coming back because Broadweave's funding has split the sheets and they can't stand on their onw. Why isn't any other community having these finanancial problems? It starts at the top. Time for us citizens of Provo to be representated by a new Mayor.

Most of what you said is exactly what NOT to do.

Upgrade the buildings, yes, put in more parking garages (actually I NEVER have any trouble parking in downtown Provo - just realize there is plenty of parking off center street - a 5 story parking garage right behind Wells Fargo, a city garage across from the Marriott, and several parking lots).

From what I've seen of the current plans, downtown Provo is going to turn out pretty cool.

I have to agree with you. However, I would include the self-serving council under the man at the top. They are all so willing to keep starting new projects before they can even begin to pay for the old ones. It would be interesting to know which pet projects specifically benefit which members of the city administration. It's unfortunate that the renewal of downtown Provo has taken second place to expansion in areas that should be left alone.

Leadership in this City always is behind. Look at the new Conference Center going in Pleasant Grove. You would think Provo would be the perfect place for a conference center. One should have been built a decade ago, but no, here we are, still "discussing" it with nothing ever getting done. Apparently not enough "votes" in putting in a conference center or a recreation center to give them higher priority by a bunch of politicians that lead with their fingers in the wind.