One of the issues that I have spent a lot of time thinking about and talking with people about during my campaign is the need to be strategic and intentional about the business development opportunities in our city. The reasons I believe this is important are two fold:There are several large and important properties on the verge of changing hands. These include the properties where the Mermaid and Scotty’s are located. Obviously, these are two properties right on the beach and they have the opportunity to be keystone businesses in our city. Developers are already approaching the current property owners and the city with their ideas for how the properties should be developed.
I believe we, as a city council and citizens of Hermosa, should have the opportunity to decide what types of businesses would best serve the city in these two locations instead of letting the market and the developers make those decisions by themselves. I think the businesses that should be selected for these locations should contribute to the quality of life of our seaside village, as well as provide healthy tax revenue to balance our current overdependence on restaurants and bars in downtown.
To hear more about my thoughts on property development and long-term planning, view my response to this question during one of the city debates by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACeUUTme1d0.
