The Glory Days
Darkened corridors, pale light over a vacant building, deserted streets - it's a horror movie.Wrong, Bl'reader. It's downtown Florence.
We've got a host of new venues and events coming to downtown, but ask any Florentine and they'll tell you that the downtown area still casts a foreboding shadow over the Magic City when night falls.
It shouldn't be this way, should it?
After all, the Art Trail Gallery has new exhibits constantly coming to the downtown area. On March 31 a photography exhibit will replace the quilt exhibit already on display followed by an exhibit of visual arts and homemade furniture.
Florence After Five is a concert series seeking to bring musicians into the downtown area and keep people there into the evening.
The problem is not there, dear Bl'reader.
The problem is with downtown itself. It's scary-looking.
What would make people want to venture down there after Aurora's azure curtain folds?
Improved streetscapes?
Better lighting?
A greater police presence walking the sidewalks and cruising the downtown area?
Yes yes and yes.
It will take more than the creative magic of the Downtown Development Corporation and the Art in the Windows Committee to make Downtown Florence a happy place again when the sun goes down.
It will take a government act to return Florence to its glory days.
Posted by
on 03/24 at 03:53 PM
