Gringo wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:10 PM:Gaslamp North? Who do you think you are kidding?

Escondeeter wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:54 PM:The problem is not businesses that "feel they don't belong any more", and Rosen knows that. The problem is businesses being driven out by the rent increases that follow the kind of gentrification she's promoting.

As Marie Waldron said, we need to retain our diversification because it is that very special combination of small businesses that give the street its charm. Letting the current DBA management drive them out of the downtown is akin to owning a theme park and tearing out rides to replace them with parking. You solve your parking shortage because nobody wants to come to your theme park any more.

One of the major issues the City Council needs to face in the coming year is finding ways to subsidize those mom and pop businesses. The alternative is to end up with a copy of every franchise befouled downtown in the country. In the process we'd lose our uniqueness and our customer base.

Yes wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:53 PM:Yes. That makes alot of sense.

Bring more live entertainment, more alcohol, more people.

And then on your way home: Get stopped at one of our checkpoints!

Cool. That works just fine with our city council. More revenue = more pay raises. Woo Hoo.

Welcome to Escondido! The land down blunder.

Gaslamp North - hee hee hee hee hee. Because we all know that SD Gaslamp district has bi-monthly checkpoints - because night-life and checkpoints go together.

chill wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:17 PM:Chill out downtown Escondido.

Every week there is a story in the paper about how downtown is trying to bring more people in to spend more dollars.

Haven't they heard we are in a recession?

Haven't they heard people are struggling just to make ends meet?

Haven't they heard people are paying much more for gas & food?

Haven't they heard: You can't get blood out of a turnip.

Chill and let the people come. They will come if you have something worthwhile.

To Escondeeter wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:18 PM:I find it hard to believe that Marie Waldron is really interested in retain our "diversification". That's a good one!

NEW PROGRAMMING wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:23 AM:IF the Downtown area is to thrive, it needs NIGHT LIFE.

If the Center for the Arts would allow more contemporary jazz programming, it could get on the coat tails of the San Diego.

Contemporary jazz music (KIFM-98.1- TYPE) is working for downtown San Diego. Humphrey's is a great example of a SUCCESSFUL, FOR PROFIT MUSIC OPERATION.

We have to subsidize wrote on Sep 5, 2008 6:18 AM:Mom and Pop businesses? No one subsidized MY business. Get real. The only thing we have to do is keep downtown SAFE and keep it safe.

Joke wrote on Sep 5, 2008 6:31 AM:article? More upscale eateries? The ones now are empty, you might see a few folks in them but not many. What is needed is a Taco Bell! Then you would see actual life walking on the streets of downtown Escondido.

Citizens of Chamber wrote on Sep 5, 2008 6:58 AM:We at the Citizens of Chamber (all four of us) applaud the efforts to bring more people downtown. We also want more driver's license checkpoints so that our community is safer and more willing to come to events downtown. Thank you and stay classy Escondido.

resident wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:21 AM:Trying to beautify our community is nice however, with crime being the way it is, I think the City should concentrate on putting more Police Officers on the street so that someday we could enjoy the downtown area. I would not let my kids wander around there at night. We should start with the basics. We should spend our money on Public Safety first.

Problem wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:43 AM:Jazz music is boring

Sandra wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:03 AM:Tell me again why people will come to the new hotel? A hundred a night? There's nothing quite like the optimism of a realtor.

win win solution wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:31 AM:To those of you who complain about downtown Escondido, I have a feeling you are armchair quarterbacks. In the past month I have had high end meals at 150 Grand and Vincent's, and great inexpensive pizza at Felipe's. My high school daughter has gone downtown with her friends to All Fired Up and had a blast painting pottery. They have watched plays at the local theatre,and have attended events at the Center for the Performing Arts. They have attended Cruising Grand and went at night just to walk around and look in the many Art Galleries. We will be there this weekend for the parade and the fair. There are many no or low costs activities available, and there are so many wonderful restaurants., it is getting old and disengenious. STOP making everything about checkpoints and your own personal agenda. Give Escondido a chance, actually venture away from your computer, and you just might have a great experience.

To Citizens of Chamber wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:58 AM:Hey Paul-Que, when's your next meeting at the Cocina? I think we have some vital issues to discuss.

My family and I wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:59 AM:would attend, but there are too many unlicensed and uninsured motorist out there. I can not afford medical payments if one of my children were hit by an ininsured motorist.

Time to wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:11 AM:Time to leave California.

With all the HATE, soon this state will erupt in civil war!

I can't wait to get the hell out of this area - you people are such a bummer.

No brainer wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:40 AM:Save the parking at City Hall and save 20 million dollars. Convert the Palomar Medical Center into the new hotel and bowling alley.
The people will have to walk down Grand Ave. to (and from) the Arts Center, spending money at the stores along the way. Hire only the local homeless and illegals to work at the hotel.
PROBLEMS SOLVED!

Downtown shopper wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:50 AM:Downtown will not be successful without a few anchor stores such as an Urban Outfitters, Crate and Barrel or a Bed Bath and Beyond. There needs to be a mix of small shops and some larger stores along with the resturants and some nightclubs. A good mix of trendy stores and unique small shops will bring customers downtown who will shop in the small stores too. Without that mix you miss out on a younger generation of working professionals who do have disposable $$$ ready to spend going out to shop, dine, and enjoy entertainment. By building more strip type shopping all that is happening is sending people away from downtown. Does the DBA and city coucil really believe shoppers will go to the strip malls and then downtown for lunch or dinner.

Regarding Cruizn Grand. I don't attend and had no appreciation for the recent changes to that weekly event until I found myself trying to get downtown last Friday and was completely frustrated that I could not drive down Grand Avenue. I found myself stuck in a line of traffic on Juniper just trying to get to West Valley Pkwy. All I can say is in previous years on Fridays I would stop to have dinner or shop but now with the closing of Grand Avenue all I want to do is avoid downtown. Talk about frustration could the DBA have made it anymore unfriendly to come downtown on a Friday!

Grand Avenue Promenade wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:03 AM:Duh?!... Go to Santa Monica and walk the 3rd Street Promenade and you will see a perfect example for Grand Ave. First - block off Grand Avenue and make it a walk only area. Stop crying, all of you anti change people... There are one way streets both directions that the smart people already use who want to get by downtown congestion. With Grand blocked off there wil be a park like atmosphere for locals to gather and go shopping. The city needs to take a hard look at how Santa Monica uses and encourages the use of the 3rd Street Promenade. Do not make it a spot for the elite, jazz only crowd. This is not what the populance of Escondido is about. Keep it well grounded and safe for the general public. A good example is to make it like the 'first night' festivities.

JR wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:18 AM:"restaurant featuring video games for adults" Just what we need. Our local gangsters now have a place to go, drink and play video games. Ingenious~

Thank You For Trying Mr. Sapp wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:34 AM:As a resident in Old Escondido I wake every day and try to have hope that things will improve in our downtown and neighborhood. I admit that I don't always feel positive about the prospective future of our community, but I'm trying.

I met Mr. Sapp years ago (friendly man) and while I don't believe he lives in Escondido (Poway?), I appreciate his willingness to continue to invest and take risks in our community. Thank you Mr. Sapp. I hope your vision is someday realized, because I'm less optimistic than I was a decade ago.

One Downtown Shopper wrote on Sep 5, 2008 10:52 AM:The idea of one downtown shopper complaining that they can not drive (and probalby wanting to park right in front of) the stores on grand does not get it. One shopper will not support Grand Avenue and that is proven. Think past the one downtown shopper if you want to save downtown. People are going to have to park off Grand and walk. Walking to a store is not a new concept. It is a must at all shopping centers where success is wanted. To complain about success because one downtown shopper needs to drive down Grand is not the answer. Think outside the box and stop giving the elite that one parking space in front of the store because that has proven not to work.

Agree with wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:12 AM:Downtown Shopper who said,"A good mix of trendy stores and unique small shops will bring customers downtown who will shop in the small stores too." Yes Yes Yes! Please check out Melrose Av.,Robertson Bl.& Abbot Kinney Bl. up in Los Angeles to see well it works!

NRA wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:28 AM:To Resident. Just arm the citizens public safty will follow, no need to be a sheeple.

To Grand Ave Promenade wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:30 AM:Obviously you weren't in Santa Monica during the early history of third street. It was a thriving local retail area until it was blocked off, whereupon it became a no-go zone, populated primarily by the homeless and the patrons of the various porn establishments in the area. What finally saved it was the construction of a large shopping mall at the south end of third.

The city of Burbank had a very similar experience. Closing off San Fernando Rd. killed the retail area, and it wasn't until they reopened it and built a mall at the north end of it that it came back to life.

Turning Grand into a walk street would be far more likely to produce the old Santa Monica third street than the new one. Bad move!!

Chubton wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:50 AM:How about some upscale jobs?

To Chubton wrote on Sep 5, 2008 12:58 PM:I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but our city council's great economic development plan these last few years has been to build houses!

Check it out: City Council meeting May 14, 2008. You have to watch the online video to really know what happened at the meeting. The minutes of the meetings are always less than revealing.

Sorry, Chubton & sorry for those people that would like some upscale jobs - that way we could work & live in Escondido.

Gary wrote on Sep 5, 2008 4:43 PM:Good news! I like Grand Ave. and the direction its headed. The wine bar was a great addition and I hope it set the direction the area is taking.

BETTY wrote on Sep 5, 2008 5:01 PM:YES, that does like a nice improvement for the area
b u t as many have already written ........more
jobs and better police protection in our dear town
are badly needed. We cannot enjoy the better,
nicer downtown without better,nicer paychecks.

Deanna wrote on Sep 5, 2008 6:17 PM:I hope the Tango Restaurant will include a small dance floor so I can watch the likes of Al Pacino dance the tango. (Scent of a Woman)

taco Shelly wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:15 PM:Agree with
[-] wrote on Sep 5, 2008 11:12 AM:Downtown Shopper who said,"A good mix of trendy stores and unique small shops will bring customers downtown who will shop in the small stores too." Yes Yes Yes! Please check out Melrose Av.,Robertson Bl.& Abbot Kinney Bl. up in Los Angeles to see well it works!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
You forgot Olivera Street
tsk tsk tsk!

or like the street in TJ we could all have our pictures taken with the donkey cart. I want the sombero with Jaunita painted on it.
Oh and I don't want wine bars / piano bars :::yawn:::
where's the tequilla & limes ?
anyone for a body shot?
we can make an Escondido Girls Gone WILD video! yeahhhhhh

Longtime Resident wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:35 PM:I've been hearing this story for years. One restaurant/lounge does not a "Gaslamp North" make.

What we need is a City Council open to real night life type establishments - something they've proven time and time again to shut down.

Oh, wait, there's still Cruisin' Grand...

januaryM wrote on Sep 5, 2008 7:37 PM:Its not about the wine bars or the cafes.
Bob Dylan tixs sell out in 24 minutes.
People came from near & far to see him.
Concert on the Indian Rez/casino.
Think they all stayed at a Hotel?
When CCAE has entertainment that we all want to enjoy.We will come.Alot of entertainers love small venues. Ive attened concerts since 1967 and Ive seen them all,more than once. The concert I loved the most was with Rob Thomas aka Matchbox20.It was in a small venue.Better view of the stage.
Sooo book em ,bring em on...and we will come.
Stick with the boring snoring crowd,we will keep going elsewhere,like coors/humphries/cox arena and the Indian Casino Concerts.
Get a clue CCAE & DBA

taxpayer wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:11 PM:Wine bars and piano bars will make downtown upscale?
If so, what is it now,gutter level?
Wine bars and piano bars went out when Lawrence Welks bubble machine died.
If you want people to spend money give them live bar bands and dance floors like downtown San Diego.Small concerts.Make them want to come enjoy and have fun spending their money.Encourage designated driver special treats.Taxi from downtown is cheaper and smarter than DUI
Not another Pounder's ... bar or Welks accordian wine bar.pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

downtown business owner wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:23 PM:You're all missing the point of this article. The main question is why should any legitimate business ever feel that they don't BELONG in their own downtown?
And exactly which businesses are we talking about? Let's have some names here!

dude wrote on Sep 6, 2008 7:56 AM:I am not a big supporter of all things that are the DBA but I actually think this is a good idea. We went to the wine bar the other night and it was enjoyable. I think having other places such as that and the irish pub would be a great idea. I still don't think this hotel is going to do anything but that is another subject.

Past History wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:18 AM:Does anyone happen to remember Palomar Lanes our old bowling alley? It was always less than half full. Most people who go to bowling alleys are not likely to go to an upscale eatery on Grand Avenue. It's the wrong use for the Johnson Furniture building. Has anyone been to the venues that Valley View, Harrah's and Pala have? Why can't the City provide us with the same at the Arts Center. Why is it that people will come from San Diego to see Jay Leno in Valley Center, yet we have nothing like this in Escondido. We could pack our resturants before and after events such as this. Instead we just sit here and let these casino's make the money. Lets compete for the same entertainers! Also trying to go to dinner along Grand Avenue on Fridays when Crusin on Grand is in effect is almost impossible unless you want to walk blocks. I find it hard to believe this venue is increasing business. All I see are people leaning against vehicles talking with fellow car fans drinking sodas. How many times do you expect people to look at the same vehicles. Time for a new approach.

Back East Transplant wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:45 AM:Part of why I chose to live in Escondido is Grand Avenue and the neighborhood feel it brings. It has always reminded me of the main street in the small town I grew up in back East. I've watched Grand change over the last 10 years and love the addition of upscale restaurants but we do need some more night time entertainment. R. O'Sullivans is great for live music but we need a place with room to dance. Pounders can be fun but someplace with a little more "class", for lack of a better term, would be much appreciated. More quaint, unique shops would be good as well.

Yolie wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:47 AM:Quote "Rosen said adding night life to Grand Avenue will clearly have consequences." "There will come a day when some of the businesses will feel they don't belong any more," she said."

Sounds to me like the Downtown Business Association already knows who they want out.

NRA is right wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:45 AM:let me see, we'll be expanding the numbers of bars and alcohol-serving restaurants, and hope to have many people milling around late at night. Yes, a Grand Avenue with hundreds of drunks, all packin', that's my idea of a safe night out. NRA is brilliant as always. We'll have all the safety of those main streets in every western movie you've ever seen.

Mark wrote on Sep 6, 2008 1:20 PM:Esconburrito...enough said!

Downtown Shopper wrote on Sep 7, 2008 11:38 AM:I have never not stopped to shop or dine in downtown Escondido because I could not find a parking spot that was not my point. As far as I'm concerned Downtown Escondido has plenty of parking. I'm a resident of the OEN and I often walk downtown instead of driving, it's a great walk. My issue was why did the DBA change Cruizn Grand the whole point of that type of event is for people to check out cars whether they are walking or driving down Grand Avenue. What has been created by the current set up is an unorganized mess with traffic flow where people just trying to get home find themselves stuck in traffic while trying to get over to WVPkwy and the I-15. I am not against blocking off parts of Grand Avenue as a promanade for shopping and dining. That is what was created in Santa Cruz when their downtown was rebuilt after the earthquake however this was accomplished by good planning with a thought to traffic flow.

On My Way To Grand wrote on Oct 30, 2008 6:59 PM:Finally! Have you ever tried to have a good, local time on a Saturday night? You only have 2 choices, Pounders and Sullivans and there is no way I'm going to a dive like Pounders. I would love to have more options in Escondido instead of spending my paycheck in the real Gaslamp.

I would rather go to a piano bar than some stuffy old t-shirt shop. who shops there anyway?