Comments on: ten-year decisions made in 30-minute meetings http://ryanharne.com/2006/06/23/ten-year-decisions-made-in-30-minute-meetings/ Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:55:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Brandon Beall http://ryanharne.com/2006/06/23/ten-year-decisions-made-in-30-minute-meetings/#comment-5358 Brandon Beall Sun, 25 Jun 2006 00:06:53 +0000 http://ryanharne.com/2006/06/23/ten-year-decisions-made-in-30-minute-meetings/#comment-5358 Though it is not a justification, I can say Toby once described to me why the town council built Clay Court in light of Kent Square. I wish I could remember what the term was built it has to do with the ability to stimulate growth in the town. Although it's very frustrating to see the small businesses falter, I will argue that it is not corruption but rather something else. If you ever get in touch with Toby, perhaps you should have a discussion with him as he is an Urban Planning alumnus. In closing, I agree that this is a growing problem and it pains my heart to see small businesses falter in a place like Blacksburg. They actually care for their customers and the food and drink is of such a higher quality. Places like Crossroads at such a location will be missed. Though it is not a justification, I can say Toby once described to me why the town council built Clay Court in light of Kent Square. I wish I could remember what the term was built it has to do with the ability to stimulate growth in the town. Although it’s very frustrating to see the small businesses falter, I will argue that it is not corruption but rather something else. If you ever get in touch with Toby, perhaps you should have a discussion with him as he is an Urban Planning alumnus.

In closing, I agree that this is a growing problem and it pains my heart to see small businesses falter in a place like Blacksburg. They actually care for their customers and the food and drink is of such a higher quality. Places like Crossroads at such a location will be missed.

]]> By: jason++ http://ryanharne.com/2006/06/23/ten-year-decisions-made-in-30-minute-meetings/#comment-5314 jason++ Fri, 23 Jun 2006 22:58:56 +0000 http://ryanharne.com/2006/06/23/ten-year-decisions-made-in-30-minute-meetings/#comment-5314 It really wrenches my heart to have watched downtown turn from "boom" to "bust" over a period of about 9 months. I really enjoy the town of Blacksburg because it is (well, used to be) so unlike my hometown - nothing but a massive, cancerous suburb. I sit here over the summer, isolated from everyone I know by a 10-15 minute drive. That drive, during which I pass by at least two bastions of unkempt capitalism (uber-shopping centers), contributes to the fact that Greensboro, NC has worse air during the summer than Los Angeles. Uncontrolled growth fueled by corportate greed + chain stores preying on the mainstream + cut down trees to build roads, McMansions, and shopping centers that will be empty in 5 years = desolate wasteland. The Triad of NC used to be lush, green, and a nice place to live. Now it's a polluted concrete & asphalt jungle. And I'm seeing the start of the very same process starting Blacksburg. It's sad that a gem such as Blacksburg is viewed as no more than a diamond in the rough, needing to be cut, polished, and sold to the highest bidder. It really wrenches my heart to have watched downtown turn from “boom” to “bust” over a period of about 9 months. I really enjoy the town of Blacksburg because it is (well, used to be) so unlike my hometown - nothing but a massive, cancerous suburb.

I sit here over the summer, isolated from everyone I know by a 10-15 minute drive. That drive, during which I pass by at least two bastions of unkempt capitalism (uber-shopping centers), contributes to the fact that Greensboro, NC has worse air during the summer than Los Angeles.

Uncontrolled growth fueled by corportate greed + chain stores preying on the mainstream + cut down trees to build roads, McMansions, and shopping centers that will be empty in 5 years = desolate wasteland.

The Triad of NC used to be lush, green, and a nice place to live. Now it’s a polluted concrete & asphalt jungle. And I’m seeing the start of the very same process starting Blacksburg. It’s sad that a gem such as Blacksburg is viewed as no more than a diamond in the rough, needing to be cut, polished, and sold to the highest bidder.

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