Escondido City Council needs a change of direction. "Build it and they will come" is a concept for movies, not real-life business development, which depends on demographics. Are there enough people likely to use the services living near the proposed business? Is there a need for that business? How could we possibly need a fancy hotel in downtown when the hotels we have are never full and there is no tourist attraction?

If we want to draw well-heeled theater people to an arts center, why would we build lots of apartment buildings for a transient population who can't afford to buy a home or theater tickets? Downtown condo ownership (not rentals) would attract a stable adult demographic, baby boomers, within walking distance of multiple cafes, the arts center and mass transportation. No stairs. Get the demographics right first.

We can't attract baby boomers to an active retirement lifestyle in a city that can't or won't manage their needs. There are no bicycle racks outside cafes, parking is limited and at the Amgen Bicycle Finish Line, every handicapped ramp in a two-block radius was completely blocked. Do we really want the biggest-ever population of people over 65 to think we don't care about their needs?

If we want to attract businesses, why would we let the business association increase fees in a down economy? If we want to encourage tourists, why would we give them $40 tickets for parking more than 12 inches from the curb, or on a blue handicapped parking line? That isn't business- or tourist-friendly. It is unsynchronized priorities and no plan.

If Escondido is an arts center, why would we cut off all funding ($5,700) to the art association that has supported this city and all levels of art for more than 52 years? Why give a Partnership of Professional Artists (newer organization) $70,000 without a cut this year, while nipping at every established event in town? That isn't good or fair budgeting. It is favoritism.

In an era of declining revenue, why consider giving away 55 percent of a hotel's room tax for 10 years? That isn't an incentive. It is a subsidy. Waiving developer fees and allowing a freeway sign are incentives. This council doesn't seem to know the difference.

A multistory parking garage would benefit the downtown area more than an upscale city-subsidized hotel. Let's make real parking available for park events as well as downtown. We could set off the fireworks from the top story, freeing up the existing parking lot. It's true that a parking lot doesn't generate revenue itself, but it does attract businesses that generate sales tax revenue and customers who want convenient parking.

Why scrap the old library to build a new one, or mutilate the arts center for an unintended use? Let's build half a library, for children, at the arts center and move all the noisy programs to the center while keeping the present library a sanctuary of peace and quiet for serious researchers and adults. That would free needed library space, prolong the life of the present library, restore the Zen feeling, and put the children in a complex that serves their needs and advances their cultural development.

Clearly, our City Council is floundering. Time for change, and new ideas.

Barbara Saad lives in Escondido.