Revitalization possible

Dear editor:

As a life-long resident of Hot Springs, I have witnessed both the prosperity and the decline of downtown Hot Springs. A couple of weeks ago, I took a walk from Hill Wheatley Park up to the fountain and back to Spencer's Corner. I was pleased to see the many inviting shops which are operating there; however, I was disappointed to observe the deteriorating conditions and the general uncleanliness of many of the buildings and sidewalks.

In a recent front-page article in The Sentinel-Record newspaper, a developer suggested that the downtown will not fully become revitalized until the upstairs buildings are filled with residents. I fully concur with him.

I recently have returned from a short trip to New Orleans, La. It was my first visit since before Katrina. I was delighted to see how clean, painted and thriving the city has become. The sidewalks and streets are clean, with no litter. Many businesses have potted flowers or shrubs in front of them. The downtown buildings in the French Quarter have been refurbished and the upstairs have been reclaimed as thriving condos filled with dwellers.

I envision the same possibility in Hot Springs. Downtown building owners might sell off the top floors which could be refurbished as condos. Because many people love to come to Hot Springs, I believe that investors would be interested in buying them for weekend, vacation or permanent homes. Parking places might be leased in the city's parking deck or other parking lots on a monthly basis. Downtown specialty grocery stores, cleaners, barber and beauty shops, and pharmacies might be developed. Our town has the potential to re-emerge as a thriving downtown hub for residents and visitors alike.

If New Orleans can reinvent itself after the terrible crisis which it endured, so can Hot Springs. I call upon the Hot Springs Revitalization Committee to visit New Orleans and talk to the leaders about what what they did to bring that city back from Katrina's devastation.

Janie Russell

Hot Springs

Editorial on 08/31/2014

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