Pueblog USa

Sunday, February 20, 2005

More Evidence of Dysfunctional Business Efforts

If you want to attract business to downtown, don’t put government offices in prime real estate locations.

I understand that the City and County Public Health Department is looking for new, or rather different, office space. I can appreciate that need. However, since we’re on the topic of apparent dysfunctional efforts to attract business to Pueblo, let’s talk about this activity.

It seems that there are five locations on the short-list for Public Health’s new digs. One of which is the old Holmes Hardware building. A very nice old building with lots of history, lots of space, lots of parking and lots of useful years ahead of it. Strategically situated at the intersection of Union and B Streets, on the corner of the restoration effort of the historic Union district, it has a commanding presence that many a major retailor would covet, like an anchor location in a major mall.

So, tell me….what is the logic of putting a government agency there? Will it enhance the retail activities of the district? Hardly. So why are the City Fathers not saying, “No way!” As it is, I have not heard a peep out of them about this.

Chuck Green, in today’s editorial, touched on dysfunctional efforts to attract good business to Pueblo. He also mentioned the city’s apparent disregard for historical structures. Here, with the Publich Health Department’s interest in Holmes Hardware, we see both of these fused in perfect synchronicity. Let’s make a government building out of a perfectly good business opportunity.

What we REALLY need in the old Holmes Hardware building is a retail magnet that will draw consumer business to the historic Union District. Not a government agency that will do nothing for commerce in downtown. Something like Borders. I’ve called Borders about the possibility. And although I didn’t do lunch with their CEO, I got the distinct impression that they’d look at the idea.

I mean, Circuit City is okay. So is Barnes and Noble. But they are not Borders. We could use a bit more serious competition in that segment. More attractive shopping opportunities scattered about the city, especially in downtown. And whereas we cannot do well without the Public Health Department, could they not do their work just as well in one of those big vacant buildings along the southern stretch of Santa Fe?

I think so. But I’m just a grunt. I could run the logistical activities of a heavy brigade in contact with an ‘enemy’ out of a trunk in the corner of a rat-infested, abandoned rail car. Along with the rest of the brigade staff crammed in there with me. I had a roof over my head to keep out the rain and my feet were dry. But I’m easily pleased…when it comes to where I work. Not when it comes to where I live.