QUOTE(Dank @ Dec 29 2005, 06:35 PM)
I grew up in Lancaster and have now lived in Savannah, GA. for the past year and a half. Now Savannah is roughly smaller than Lancaster but they achieve what Lancaster is seeking. They bring both locals and tourists down town every night of the week all year round. They do it by offering eclectic shops, big name store fronts and open walking areas around the historic sites. Driving is limited or even completely restricted in some areas and gives you a free feeling as you walk around. With downtown art galleries restaurants that scale the spectrum of price and small family attractions it makes for a pleasant evening. Not to mention the plethora of small bars and live entertainment available. One reason I left Lancaster was due to the lack of places to go out. You had the Village or the Chameleon and that was about it. As I am moving back in March I would love to see something done to revitalize down town but we need to look at the larger picture not just a slot parlor. I have no problem with gambling however I also do not mind driving to Atlantic City and spending a weekend there.
I once suggested the Savannah and Boulder, Colorado models to the former D.I.D. director and was laughed at and rudely dismissed. I got the impression that "new" ideas or ideas not thought up by the people in charge were bad ones.
