In my opinion, attracting people from the outside can be healthy.  Las Vegas' businesses aren't geared towards it's own residents but it ended up being the fastest growing city in the U.S. Residents in Nevada have the benefit of having no income tax, and isn't that because of the high amount of tourism?

My point was not to disclude anyone, it was just a statement that while urbanites and city planners in Ohio drool over that almighty suburban buck...it's not necessarily like that everywhere.  If it's a cool and vibrant place, suburbanites will flock in anyway.  The difference in Ohio is suburbanites often sound like they are doing the city a favor if they go there.  Cater to me extensively by providing free parking and keeping away the undesireables, and you'll be lucky enough to have me come downtown.  However, if something does go wrong I'll be the first to back and bash the city.  I get tired of hearing it.

 

If any of you worked in...Times Square or on Michigan Ave for example, you know you'd get sick of tourists and suburbanites and make fun of them.  It would be hard not to when they are in your way every day.  I think you have to experience it to know what I mean.

 

 

I don't know much about billboard and other signage regulations but I think it would be great if my city bought up a lot of property, and put up billboards, even on the sides of buildings, or some of those electronic signs above highways, and make them advertise local events, and businesses.  People traveling through the city's highway yet don't usually stop downtown or in the city would be informed of the great things in the city.  This would be a great investment for the city because it would bring in a lot of tax dollars and stimulate economic activity.  A lot of suburban (and city) people aren't aware of numerous great places in the city, and local events going on.  We need more signage! Signage I tell ya!!!

If any of you worked in...Times Square or on Michigan Ave for example, you know you'd get sick of tourists and suburbanites and make fun of them.  It would be hard not to when they are in your way every day.  I think you have to experience it to know what I mean.

That's it, now I'm deliberately going to get in your way when I come to Chicago next week!  Just tell me the time and place you'll be walking through a door so I can stand in front of it while taking a picture. :-D

^^Sounds like a good idea to me! And while they're at it, advertise the fact that there is a lot of new housing downtown and in surrounding urban neighborhoods (places like the Short North, Arena District, etc). If suburbanites want to convert, great. If not, well, at least an effort was made to inform them and awareness would be raised.

That's it, now I'm deliberately going to get in your way when I come to Chicago next week!  Just tell me the time and place you'll be walking through a door so I can stand in front of it while taking a picture.

 

Haha.  I'll be watching out...luckily my 80's glass office building probably would not be a prime kodak moment.  Just don't be in the way of the door at Shuba's...I'll be making a beeline to the bar :drunk: