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Post by Lee on Feb 22, 2005 19:53:17 GMT -8
I've read all your ideas, many of them are very good. I have lived in Azusa for 62 years and I can tell you that Azusa will never attract and/or keep any really good businesses. In the 40's and early 50's Azusa had a great downtown, dress shops, shoe stores, JC Penney, several good cafes, even Edwards Theatre. They all left when the Foothill Shopping Center opened and Azusa Avenue became a one-way street. Azusa missed the redevelopment boat years ago. It will never be comparable to Glendora or even Monrovia. Azusa's downtown is dead and it will remain that way indefinitely. No one wants to be downtown, especially at night; it simply isn't safe. Even a Denny's would close for lack of business.
As for the "river" and forest entrance, well the river is usually dry most of the time. The upper creeks attract primarily Hispanics who seem to enjoy the dirty water. Yes, there are a few campers and hikers, not the kind REI would be interested in. REI closed their San Dimas location about two years ago, relocated to Arcadia. They ain't coming to Azusa. No one is!
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Post by azusa resident on Feb 22, 2005 22:53:11 GMT -8
Hello Lee,
Thank you for sharing some of the history of Azusa. I understand that Azusa has has some problems in the past, and that there will be problems in the future. But don't be suprised if you see new stores popping up in the downtown again this year, next year, and for that to continue year after year. It is not uncommon for shopping districts to need to reinvent themselves. You can see example after example of this: Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia, and Old Town Pasadena. All of these have experienced a time when no one wanted to go there. Now they are all successful places with a variety of businesses. I still believe that the downtown has an opportunity to renew itself with proper planning. And remember, when Montarra residents have moved in, that will bring that many more people that will shop in the downtown. This will add to the local population with people that have the ability to spend money on hiking gear, biking, bird watching, etc., will be living in Azusa. I know that this is a little corny but here are a few of my favorite quotes that I would appreciate if you could ponder a little:
At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done. Then they begin to hope it can be done. Then they see it can be done. Then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago. (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
"Whatever is flexible and flowing will tend to grow, whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die." (Tao Te Ching)
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
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Post by re downtown area on May 31, 2005 17:15:20 GMT -8
We have often thought about what would look good to the eye as you are coming into our city-the suggestions above are great-a bead shop, pottery, etc. If we stick to the heritage of this city we can make it happen! I am from Colorado- Manitou Springs is a great tourist town, candy shops, Indian dancing Shows, arcades for the kids. hotels. etc. It is a very small town, you blink and you've missed out! Also, Pueblo is a nice old fashioned town after the Pueblo Indians. It too offers jewlery, indian art work etc. If we are to keep the heritage of Azusa, then the town should speak for itself! I, too want to know how long my husband and I will live in M/C with a town that is slow moving to improvements! I lived in Duarte for 16 years and literally watched that town go up- there was NOTHING- now there are townhomes galore! Businesses, too! Bringing in people with business sense is what the city needs to bring in the money!
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