Interesting stuff over on GPC.
FITZ on Aggieville (can't believe I actually agree with this guy)
Re: Parking in Aggieville Reply
"As the President of the Aggieville Business Association I would like to say that Legore hit the nail on the head. Outside of Manhattan, Kansas, Aggieville is seen as the epicenter of MHK, where the city and campus meld together into one of the most unique business districts one will find in any college town. Within Manhattan, Aggieville is seen as a pox that must be tolerated. Right now, the city is helping downtown with its new street scaping, while mailing Aggieville letters stating that we must repair our own damn sidewalks. Somehow the city found a way to finance a parking garage that sits mostly empty next to a convention center downtown, but Aggieville will never get its own garage unless it finds a way to fund one itself. People don't realize that these lots at night and on the weekend are open to public parking. One of the things we want to work with the University on is signage informing people of this. Another goal is to work with the University (and city) on redesigning Triangle Park so it's more usable space (with a small band shell, better seating areas and use of limestone walls, paths). The land is actually owned by the University but maintained by the city. We would also like to rename this space Tex Winter Triangle Park."Aggieville is a great idea. But, compared to other great mixed-use districts (6th Street and Pearl Street come to mind), Aggieville is prtty shitty. Signage is bad. Streetscape is horrible. Pedestrian experience is non-existant. No parking. This district could truly be incrediblde. As it is, it's decent - meh.
Other news from GPC...
"If you are out of town you might not have heard the following: 1) Civics Plus the local software co just broke ground on a new 5 story office building to be located where the current Manhattan Appliance store is located downtown close to the Hilton Garden.They will employ about 250. Ground floor will be retail and resstarauts. 2) the vacant lot on the north west side of the Hilton Garden Inn will have a new four story appartment building owned by Hilton 3) local developer just broke ground on a five story mixed use building directly across the street on east side of Hilton Garden Inn. Ground floor will be retail and restaraunts. Upper floors office and apartments. Also GTM announced a major expansion to their current location. Another local firm is about to announce a major expansion with several hundred new jobs . Good stuff"link for the design plans for the aggieville hotel:
http://www.cityofmhk.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/12558
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