OPEN MARTINEZ - Preserve. Promote. Enhance. Unite.

While doing some research I recently reread a letter to the editor written in the past year by Paul Craig. In his letter Paul talks about the success of the 500 block of Main Street and discusses the part he feels the city should play in building on these successes as well as advertising our town.

Similar successes are appearing all over the downtown historic area. Residents ask: “What? How can that be happening without a Redevelopment Agency?” After all, hasn’t our City Council spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in investigating, planning and then, again, hiring yet ANOTHER CONSULTANT to make their report and try to convince us that a REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY will be a “cure all” for our wonderful historic area?

In his letter, Paul also praised the efforts of long time resident and entrepreneur, Dick Duncan. Dick came forward with many, many great ideas aimed at improving our downtown. One of his best was the design and installation of the “pockets”. Over the years the “pockets” lead to various discussions, both pro and con. (for those unfamiliar the pockets” are the brick areas that protrude out into Main Street in the 500 and the 900 blocks.) Over the years they have now been well accepted by most residents.

You ask: well, just how did Mr. Duncan pull that off? How many hours and dollars did he spend and how many CONSULTANTS did the Council hire before he received permission to do the installation? Well, the council just didn’t have time to consult as Dick recruited many, many local residents and completed the project in ONE WEEKEND!

So, what are we now seeing around town? Take a look, and if you haven’t noticed, many improvements. Not only has the 500 block led the way, it shines! No city funds, no consultants and no REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

Drive down Main Street. Bull Dog BBQ, not only painted and redecorated but actually RETROFITTED. A little further, building with designer paint and attractive awnings. On the corner of Main and Ferry our wonderful “Legal Grounds” owner has spent hundreds of hours and dollars remodeling the building into an even larger and attractive coffee business. Wow! No city help and definitely no REDEVELOMENT funds.

On the opposite corner, yet another remodeled and redecorated building with great Mexican food. Just a few doors down is yet another building that has been remodeled and redecorated in the past two years. Across the street is a great Main Street success Story, “Leah’s Closet”, with new decorator paint and great front window displays.

Now, for the very “best of show” is the Veterans Building at the corner of Ward and Court. In the past two months it has gone from seedy to absolutely beautiful, with an awesome decorator paint job and landscape work. Guess what?? No city involvement, no consultants, no big developers. This, like many others I have cited, has happened thru the combined efforts of volunteers. Equipment, supplies, paint as well as design and labor were all volunteered. No REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY here!

I know other buildings have been upgraded and I apologize for not mentioning them. But newspapers only allow so much space.

In closing, my point is that wonders can be achieved with a little organization, planning, sense of urgency and a lot of volunteers. Martinez absolutely does not need a REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. We know what needs to be done. How about we all come together, start with the first building and work our way down Main Street. It would be a fantastic effort. After all, at one of the recent City Council meetings mayor, Rob Schroder stated: “my father always told me to do what’s best for the city” Well, Mayor Schroder, now is your chance.

Carolyn Hill

“