Downtown car cruise shows what Sharon's future can be

August 16, 2008 12:12 am

— People roamed the streets of Sharon in droves last Saturday during the Sharon Car Cruise in what was an exciting day. To see the city humming with life brought back great memories.
But it also reminded me of what could have been!
State Street was closed to accommodate the many vintage vehicles that were on display. And people walked on sidewalks and the middle of the street, viewing the cars and also mingling and talking.
As great as that was, in another way it was sad. It pointed out serious mistakes made decades ago by city leaders and Downtown Sharon Business Associates.
When the Sharon parking garage was being considered, one of the ideas brought to the table by consultants was to close State Street and make one-way traffic around the town.
The downtown area would have become a beautiful walking area, where activities could be held much of the time and provide a very enjoyable shopping experience. Planters, fountains, kiosks and other amenities would have made for a beautiful city.
Unfortunately, the ideas fell on deaf ears.
The business owners balked because they felt they needed parking in front of their stores. Well, there’s plenty of parking now and the businesses are gone.
As businesses closed and the downtown was collapsing, the city leaders decided to build a plaza — which now holds Reyers Shoe Store and other smaller stores. But it was supposed to be a beautiful structure, with setbacks and green space that would have made for a nice shopping spot (not unlike Prime Outlets in Springfield Township).
However, the plaza builders wanted to save money, so the city officials met and took out the requirements that allowed what is there today. A straight plaza structure that is a disgrace for what should be a downtown. In defense of the city leaders, they were desperate to try to turn around the downtown decay, but they chose the wrong way to do it.
As I talked with an enthusiastic Mayor Bob Lucas Saturday, the group “Soundbites” played in the background on a makeshift stage and it made me think that this kind of thing could happen almost every week if done right.
That night, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame hosted Jay and the Americans in concert, a sample of what could happen a lot if the Columbia Theatre can be restored.
As people milled around, I watched as Oscar Bonner, wearing a red Elvis-style jump suit, strummed his guitar in front of the Columbia. People stopped, listened and threw change in his guitar case. This kind of thing, from music to art displays, will draw people. And anything that draws people, draws new businesses.
With news of new development in the city recently and the arrival of Gov. Ed Rendell with a big check for that development, comes hope. After all, redevelopment is cyclical and I think downtown areas can return to shopping significance if done properly.
Closing State Street, renovating the Columbia, attracting new businesses and shoppers, and making a place that is simply fun to be are just some of the ways it can be accomplished.
The Sharon Car Cruise gave us a sample of that. And I loved it!

The Herald’s Lynn Saternow writes this column each Saturday for the Opinion page.

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