For want of a nail…

Corrected 20 August 2009
Readers of today’s News-Miner will already know: the FMATS Policy Committee scrapped the idea of a roundabout at the north end of Cushman St. and voted to plan for one-way traffic on the bridges south of the intersection.  I fear that their decisions have just driven a nail into the coffin of [...]

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Red Couch opens; Gambardella’s closes (for breakfast)

I write this from the latest treasure to open downtown: Red Couch Trading Post, where I write on my laptop while enjoying a blueberry cream-cheese cake, a cinnamon pull-apart (a small monkey bread), and a coffee.
Red Couch is part cafe, part bakery, part deli, and part convenience store. They have a simple deli counter, [...]

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Gambardella’s does breakfast!

Holy cats! Gambardella’s is now doing breakfast, and it’s fantastic!
It was just luck that I discovered it, too: I’d had to walk to an ATM before traveling, and my walk back took me along Second Avenue past this classic Fairbanks restaurant.  Their door was open, and they’d put out an “Open” sign.  I stopped [...]

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Vision Fairbanks lives to fight another day — but just barely

A quick news flash, because I’m tired: Jerry Cleworth’s resolution, which I think would have kneecapped the downtown revitalization effort,  failed — though only through a tie-breaking vote by the mayor.  The final vote: For, Cleworth, Roberts, and Stiver; Against, Bratcher, Gatewood, Eberhart, and Mayor Strle.  (News-Miner story here.)
As I posted Saturday, City Councilman Jerry [...]

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Will Councilman Cleworth deep-six Vision Fairbanks?

Anybody reading today’s (Saturday’s) News Miner knows that Jerry Cleworth of the Fairbanks City Council has proposed a resolution that would halt Cushman’s conversion into a two-way street.  While his goal of saving money is admirable, the proposal is short-sighted and would deal a major blow to the revitalization of downtown.
You can help downtown — [...]

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The passage of Vision Fairbanks

As I reported earlier, and as readers of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner may may have read, the Vision Fairbanks downtown revitalization plan passed the Borough Assembly 8-0.  While this seems like a stunning coup, I have worries.
First, some highlights (or at least points of interest):
Dozens of citizens testified — and just about all in favor.  [...]

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Good news, bad news: How Vision Fairbanks fared at the Assembly

This can only be brief right now, since it’s late and I need to go to bed.
The good news is, Vision Fairbanks passed the Assembly 8-0-1.  (Nadine Winters had a conflict of interest and had to recuse herself.)
The bad news is, the version that passed was the weaker of the two proposed — one that [...]

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Open letter to FNSB Assembly on Vision Fairbanks

For those just tuning in: The Borough Assembly will hold a public hearing on Vision Fairbanks this Thursday evening (Aug. 21) at 6:00.  Be there, speak in favor of its adoption, and wear blue to show your support!
More details here.
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Following is a letter I’ve just sent to the members of our Borough Assembly:
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Good [...]

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The joys of being bound

For those just tuning in: The Borough Assembly will hold a public hearing on Vision Fairbanks this Thursday evening (Aug. 21) at 6:00.  Be there, speak in favor of its adoption, and wear blue to show your support!
More details here.
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Those of you who read the Vision Fairbanks article in today’s (Monday’s) News-Miner will [...]

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ACTION ALERT: Support a revitalized, pedestrian-friendly downtown Thursday, Aug. 21!

Friends, this is The Big One: The Borough Assembly will hold a public hearing on the adoption of Vision Fairbanks this Thursday, August 21, in a session starting at 6:00.  Be there, speak in favor of its adoption, and wear blue to show your support!
If you’d like to know why you should speak in favor [...]

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