paulhogle

When was the last time you were here? I can not find a parking spot in downtown when I go there. (To downtown) A few more store have opened up in the last 6 months. Parking is readily available at the abondoned, 4-story (N)Arrowhead Parking deck, built on the corner of main and W 46th in the late 70s...

Wow -- all I can say is wow. I grew up in Ashtabula and, since I left for college in the early 1980s, I only return now to see my dear parents and for funerals. I've lived in great cities of urban renewal -- from Indianapolis to Chicago to Atlanta -- and, while I am certianly no expert, I can most-assuredly blush when I read the comments from the urban development guy posted below. What's sad is that probably many Ashtabulans believe all the statistics -- 90% this and world class that. Ashtabula is dying a slow, painful death. "Downtown" Ashtabula is dead. Bridge Street is dead. East 46th street is dead. West Avenue is dead. Its not like "spring" where signs of life are patiently waiting for the sun to warm the ground so lives can blossom anew; Ashtabula, sadly, is more like "fall" where once vibant lives wait patiently for an eternal winter. Across the country, there are other towns of Ashtabula's size and rich history that are earning a rebirth, but their economies -- as stated below -- aren't built upon the minimum wages paid at Wal-Mart, Bob Evans, and Carlisle's. Ooops, no more Carlisles...