Patrick should be up shortly with more details from Angela Hunt and Pauline Medrano's 10:30 media meet-down on Lower Greenville, where the council members bowed their plans to give this stretch of street "a pedestrian- and family-friendly destination" makeover. But City Hall couldn't wait any longer to share at least the conceptual renderings unveiled this a.m.; another look at new-look Greenville follows. No doubt Patrick will tell us when this happens. And: how much it'll cost. And: who's doing it. And: who's paying for it. And: "family-friendly"?
Update: Patrick, who stuck around long after the press conference, has a lengthy wrap-up forthcoming. But further details till then: The redo, which will run from Bell to Alta Streets, will cost $1.3 million, it's coming outta '06 bond money, and should be done by the end of 2011. Also: On the other side is a more detailed look at the street and streetscaping -- as in, how wide everything's supposed to be when the project's done wrapped next year. Ish. And, this just in from City Hall:
Hunt and Medrano are also working on plans to create a Planned Development District on Lower Greenville which will require businesses to obtain a Specific Use Permit to operate after midnight. "That's when we see a spike in crime in the area," said Deputy Police Chief Mike Genovesi, noting that Lower Greenville currently requires a significant police presence to address public safety. The new permit process will reduce the need for police resources.Like I said, more to come.
"The permit process will ensure that businesses operating after midnight are mindful and respectful of those who live in the neighborhoods directly behind their businesses," Medrano said. "The combination of zoning changes and beautification improvements will indeed help energize the area and make it a key economic engine for our city."
