Downtown business owners support transformation

By Matt Weafer

Greater Owensboro Business Magazine Messenger-Inquirer

In a few short years, downtown will transform into Owensboro's hub of economic activity, tourism and entertainment. At least, that's the hope.

For now, city and county officials are busy organizing data and drawing plans while downtown business owners and Owensboro residents anxiously wait to see if this major investment pays off.

Confidence in the plan and the officials guiding the plan is the common denominator among downtown business owners while many city and country residents have voiced opposition against the emphasis placed on downtown and the tax hike implemented to fund the transformation.

"I am very optimistic about the Gateway plan and so proud of city and county governments in coming together and making this a reality," Rosemary Conder said. Conder and her husband Larry own The Crème Coffee House and The Crowne. The Conders also recently purchased the Smith-Warner Building on the southeast corner of St. Ann and W. 2^nd Sts.

"I think the development for downtown will put Owensboro back on the map," Larry Peech, co-owner of Peachtree Antique Gallery, said. "It is awesome for the residents of the area and the future of this area.

It shows we are still pioneers and still developing."

"I think it's going to be good not only for businesses but for the city," George Skiadas, owner of the Famous Bistro, said.

While many businesses, residents and officials support the push for developing downtown, they — city and county officials, especially — have received harsh criticism.

"I am bewildered," Skiadas said, "that for the last couple of months there have been people that have spoken out in a very hateful and somewhat derogatory manner towards our city and county government because of the decision they made for the improvement of downtown."

Conder said, "I think (officials) did try to respect the wishes of the city. It makes me sad to see so much negativity."

Given the global economic slump that has made many individuals weary of tax increases of any kinds, Conder said, officials "agonized" over whether or not this was a good time to raise taxes.

"But I think we're at the sweet spot of our economy," she said. "I think we're in the sweet spot to buy the things we need. I think the tax hike is a really progressive step in making our city not stagnant. And that's where we were, really stagnant, no growth. I think we really needed this boost. I think the tax hike was really well thought out."

"No one likes more taxes," Skiadas said, "myself included. The county officials and city officials aren't delighted about paying more taxes. They're going to have to pay it, too. So it's not something that was easy to do."

Peech said, "For progress, we all have to bite a little bit of the expense. This is about improving the city and county. That we're going to be taxed is minor to what we're going to receive not only for us and our families but people coming into the city . . . and the next generation."

"If someone can come up to me and tell me how else to finance the project, then they should approach city and county government and tell them," Skiadas said, "and if it's a better idea, let's do it. Instead of just criticizing it, come up with a better idea. But a better idea is not to just do nothing. A lot of people say we don't have to do anything. That's not the answer. We will remain stagnant and in doing so we will regress."

But the vision is progress, transforming downtown Owensboro into the "jewel of the city," Skiadas said.

With such a major overhaul planned for downtown — transforming the river front, developing a market square and events center, and converting Veteran's Blvd. into a pedestrian priority street — construction sites will be a common scene downtown possibly for several years.

But Skiadas, Conder and Peech agree they don't expect that to affect business.

"I'm hoping that (construction) will bring out the curious people who want to see changes happening," Conder said. "And I think the city and county are working to make it as efficient as possible where when one area is closed, other areas will be open."

"(New construction) is a sign of prosperity," Peech said.

Part of that work will be the demolition of the Executive Inn.

Conder said she understands the need to tear down the former hotel, but hopes the city can reopen the convention center and Mitch McConnell Plaza.

"The Executive Inn was a wonderful concept and did its job for the time," Skiadas said. "That area will be more valuable to us as a city for residential development."

"I think if I could have a voice it would be to somehow try to help people be a little more positive about the changes and what the future's going to hold," Conder said. "Come and watch things change and have some hope. The citizens really can see that it's going to be such a good thing. Local economy is going to improve."

"If (city and county officials) act quickly on what they're doing," Peech said, "this progress will benefit us so greatly all of us will welcome it. Progress sometimes hurts but once it's done, people benefit from it and (they are) proud."

Reprinted with permission from the Messenger-Inquirer Owensboro, Ky.