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 Bright Ideas
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Welcome to the Bright Ideas page. The egos of elected officials, developers, and city managers often get in the way of sound and logical thinking. This is where we attempt to put things back into perspective and reassure everyone that the world has not gone completely insane. A calm and serene place for us to share our thoughts with you and for you to spread the news. The ideas we have posted are alternatives to ideas or plans that local government or organizations are already considering. Sometimes the first idea is not the best so we have proposed alternatives, not that we necessarily think there needs to be a project at all. Send us your ideas by using the contact page.
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Conference Center and Loray (Firestone) Mill
This is a no brainer. Loray Mill is struggling to find the financing to get their restoration project off the ground. What better way than to partner with the city on a public/private joint venture to make everyone happy.
There is plenty of space for the city to have it's conference center and the upper floors would make stunning hotel rooms and suites to tie in with the conference center. There is enough land to provide parking and it would spark revitalization to the surrounding west district neighborhoods. This would be a great addition to Franklin Blvd and it's close proximity to the downtown district should satisfy the egos of our elected officials at City Hall.
This would also provide the ground work for Preservation NC to find additional funding to add shopping and outdoor entertainment space with a restaurant and amenities. A catering facility could be added and if there is enough space even condos could still be worked into the plan. The building is also large enough that office space could be leased to area businesses that have an interest in the conference center or have the need for regular meeting space.
What make this idea really simple is that the plans for a conference center are already in place. If the city moves ahead with a free standing conference center and Loray Mill gets it's financing in place then there will be two conference centers competing for the same dollars in the same small city. It is questionable if Gastonia can support one conference center let alone two.
The mere fact that such a large restoration project was in the works would provide free advertising that no amount of money could buy. The preservation angle alone could draw other groups from around the country to not only hold their conference in the facility but the facility itself would be the main draw.
It just seems too easy, so maybe that is why our elected officials are missing out on this one.
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Conference Center and Sports Complex
The city wants to build a conference center. The County want to build a sports complex or ball parks. Why not combine the two. Of course that can not be done downtown so there in itself lies the problem. The city can't see past it's own nose to recognize a good thing. A conference center and sports complex could be built along Hwy 74 on the west side of Gastonia. Crowders Mountain is already one of the largest tourist attractions in the state and this would help bring needed attention to the joint venture. The state might even be persuaded to contribute funds if they thought it would help with the park. Our idea is that the city can build the conference center and the county can build the ball fields. They could host joint events or host separate events simultaneously. Why combine the two ideas and why the west side of Gastonia? We have listed the reasons below.
- West Gastonia remains largely undeveloped with plenty of land
- Already located near a tourist attraction (Crowders Mountain)
- Close proximity to Shelby which is in the running for the Little League World Series Headquarters and will need additional quality ball fields to
host events as well as hotel and conference space
- Located right off I-85 transportation routes are already in place
- Incorporate Crowders Mountain Country Club in the plan for an additional activity for those attending conferences
- Close proximity to the Charlotte Douglas Airport via I-85 or Hwy 74
- It would spur development in west Gastonia with new restaurants and hotels and possibly shopping
- It Would help define the area as a location destination and not just a highway
- Job creation would be large scale with new development of the surrounding area
- Increase the tax base
- It would make for a stunning gateway to the city from the west
- Advertising could be combined with the state and the city and county chambers for more effective yet cheaper coverage
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Prostitution Free Zone
This idea has already been proven to work. Our big sister, Charlotte, implemented a similar plan that has seen great results. Mark out an area and declare it a Prostitute Free Zone. It is no secret in or out of Gastonia that if you are looking for a prostitute all you have to do is ride through one of the neighborhoods in the West District and you can pick and choose. Often they approach you. Where there are prostitutes you find their pimps that are usually selling drugs as well as sex. This plan would eliminate both problems.
The idea is simple. Once you have established the boundaries of your Prostitute Free Zone, anyone arrested for prostitution or soliciting prostitution is banned from the area. If they are seen in the area again they can be arrested for trespassing. This simplifies the work of the police in that they do not have to catch the prostitute or the "client" in the act. The simple fact that they are trespassing gets them a trip to our wonderful facilities at the County Jail.
Each time a prostitute or their "client" gets arrested for trespassing the fine, jail time, and bond increases. It only takes a couple of arrest and they get the message. The eventually will go to Charlotte or another town down I-85. Were they go we really do not care. We just want them to go.
The hardest part of this plan is that it requires the city to adopt an ordinance, which they do not seem willing to do, and also the DA's office has to be willing to prosecute and not just let these people back out on the street with a minor fine. If we could just get a few of our government departments to work together everyone wins. (We think this is how government is supposed to work anyway)
Read the article published in the Gazette on 5/28/2010 that mentions our idea by clicking HERE.
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