AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The private firm that's helping the Downtown Amarillo Redevelopment project met with Amarillo citizens Thursday night. Its goal was to hear what concerns they had and to give them an update on the project.
The group wanted feedback on what the people of Amarillo want for their downtown, and people were talking. About half of the questions we heard were about adding an aquatic complex. We also heard a question about implementing a bike path to help make downtown more accessible. The developer, Wallace Bajjali, said it would consider those options. Other questions centered on the Barfield building, graffiti and safety concerns.
People filled the Happy State Bank building to ask questions, suggest some options, and talk about their concerns with the plans to revitalize downtown -- but many people we spoke with just wanted information. "I just want to see what they're doing. We don't know enough to really make any decisions yet," said John Sawyers, an Amarillo Resident.
Others wanted to make sure their voices were heard. "I live in Amarillo about five and half years ago. I purchased a property in the residential area of downtown so I'm very interested in downtown so things are going and I think things will keep moving," said Howard Smith, a downtown property owner.
Keeping things moving is exactly why the Downtown Strategic Action Plan was put together. "Downtown is our core. It's the heart of the city and the decline is of downtown is like a cancer and it doesn't just stay downtown. It spreads to all other neighborhoods and the rest of the city. So we have to address that in a way that's meaningful to stop the decline of downtown and the rest of our city," said Melissa Dailey Executive Director, Downtown Amarillo, Inc.
So the plan to focus on revitalization, and bring back the heart of the city, does involve residents who have a voice. "I think that these guys are here listening, ready and willing to see what they can do to help our city grow," said Gave Irving, with Center City.
If you missed this meeting, there are four more scheduled for next week. They'll be held in four different parts of the city.
Monday at 6:30 at Forest Hill Elementary, 3515 E. Amarillo Blvd.
Tuesday at 6:30 at San Jacinto Elementary, 3500 SW 4th Ave.
Wednesday at 6:30 at Tradewind Elementary, 4300 S. Williams St.
Thursday at 6:30 at Puckett Elementary, 6700 Oakhurst Dr.
