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Tuesday, 07 April 2009 |
 Amador County – About 30 people attended the Community Preservation Workshop last week in Ione, dampening spirits of the Ione City Council. City Manager Kim Kerr said the meeting was advertised and “this is the turnout.” Councilman David Plank said he could count 22 people who were Ione residents. Mayor Lee Ard said they were there for the $285,000 in unused CDBG funds. Ard said he “came from a city that lost its Main Street because it didn’t act fast enough and it moved away.” He said a developer has proposed 60,000 square feet of retail and business space fronting Highway 124 on Castle Oaks Drive. That space, he said, equals the “square footage of downtown.” Another developer is proposing a hotel. Ard said he would like to see the economic survey done, which, through credit card data would tell how local dollars are spent in the region. Ard said the Main Street program “would get people involved in the restoration of downtown.” He said: “We have a credibility issue,” and people are asking why the council is trying to rehab downtown, saying “it’s been done before and failed.” Ard said: “This is not your old Ione,” and there are things the city can do to “have a new, economically viable downtown. But he thought the “credibility problem” directly impacted turnout. Ard said: “I would love to see 200 or 300 people here tonight. I don’t want to be doom and gloom … it’s just a reality.” Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she loves her town, and the new town it has become. She said “the best thing we can do is to start small,” with the Main Street and Façade Programs, and economic study. Councilman Skip Schaufel agreed, saying the council “should start all of these programs.” Plank said they really needed downtown property and business owners at the meeting. He asked those in the audience who was a downtown business owner. 2 people raised their hands, one of whom was Bonham. Plank said the “Magic Triangle,” Highways 124, 104 and 88, would be big issue in the next 10 years, and protecting downtown was the top priority. The council postponed action on the project for 2 weeks, until it can host another workshop, at city hall. Story by Jim Reece
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 April 2009 )
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