IS IT TRUE? March 26, 2011 –MONEY FOR NOTHING–

IS IT TRUE that finally after over 10 years on the drawing board the direction of Main Street in the downtown is being reversed to run toward the Civic Center instead of toward the river?…that a South Bend based electrical contractor is doing the electrical work associated with the changes needed to reverse the streets?…that we were under the impression that local firms were being considered as preferred providers for Downtown Evansville projects?…that there are plenty of competent and professional electrical contractors from Evansville, Indiana that could have taken on this work?

IS IT TRUE that the section of Main Street that is being reversed to increase traffic was reconstructed from being a load bearing vehicle supporting street into a WALKWAY back in the 70’s?…that the engineering specifications for a WALKWAY are very different that the specifications for a high traffic and heavy vehicle road?…that this WALKWAY has been exhibiting a plethora of pot holes in the brick pavers since traffic was reinstated?…that somehow these problems are magically occurring on the north side of the street where the moving traffic flows?…that when this is reversed that the south side where the parking is now will start to show the wear associated with use?…that we hope that the powers that be remember to check the base and the sub-base on which the WALKWAY PAVERS are installed before opening Main Street up to more and heavier traffic?…that big trucks and continuous traffic will most likely ravage the street rather quickly along with the infrastructure beneath it unless the base is sufficient for the weight and duty cycle associated with heavy use?

IS IT TRUE that changing the direction on the road to nowhere will make no difference whatsoever in the number of people wishing to go there?…that Sarah Palin’s bridge to nowhere did not make people want to cross that bridge to get to nowhere?…that what makes downtowns attractive to shoppers and seekers of entertainment is the content of the entertainment and the quality of the experience?…that if there is something that is so attractive that 20,000 are willing to pay $50 each to see it that the direction of the street makes NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL in their decision to attend?…that 500,000 people ride motorcycles across the country to Sturgis, SD every year to attend the Sturgis Rally?…that a smaller but similar venue in Sturgis KY (population 2,000) has drawn between 20,000 and 50,000 people per year for over 15 years?…that having a successful downtown is about MINIMALLY having as a famous consultant came to Evansville to teach us in 2007—–10 UNIQUE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS + 10 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS + 10 PLACES THAT ARE OPEN AFTER 5 PM?….that not one of the consultants brought in to teach Evansville how to design a thriving downtown has mentioned direction of traffic flow as a factor that brings progress?…that they have repeated the advice of unique retail, a variety of restaurants, expansive entertainment, free parking, and yes even a smoking ban so professionals and families alike will come downtown?…that the powers that be only seem to understand building stuff and pay little attention to sustainable commercial activities?

IS IT TRUE that there is a Facebook page dedicated to bringing Lady GAGA to Evansville to open the Evansville Arena?…that as much as she is a great entertainer that another band with a much more appropriate signature song would be just right for the Arena christening?…that DIRE STRAITS should open the show with the theme song of downtown development?…that this song was written and the title was chosen perfectly for projects like street reversals, Front Door Pride, Green Brick Alleys, and $240,000 public housing apartments?…that “MONEY FOR NOTHING” should be adopted as the anthem of downtown Evansville?..HAPPY SATURDAY ENJOY THE VIDEO! Clapton playing lead for DS is a bonus