In the August 3-9 issue of Toledo City Paper Terry Shankland (a candidate for City Council) claims COSI is dead, dark, and dingy. He says it cannot support itself financially so it makes no sense to keep it. That way it can be a shopping center again, albeit a heavily subsidized one ("we can't kill the stores with high rent"). Does anyone see a contradiction here? Further more, to say it should die because it doesn't break even is nonsense. Using the same logic we should shut down the libraries, parks, and public transportation.
COSI is a huge success and asset to this region. Believe it or not, it helps make downtown a destination, not just for Toledoans. Educated, creative families want venues like this, the zoo, the stadium, the metro parks, the museum, etc. Thousands of children come to our COSI each year to prop up their science curriculums and build enthusiasm. We all know Toledo schools could use all the help they can get. Many progressive cities have science museums for their children. We have a great one that should be maintained, improved, and encouraged.
About COSI being dark and dingy, it is not by any means dark unless you consider the areas that are SUPPOSED to be dark. Dingy may be true, I've commented on some of the dust accumulating in certain areas to the COSI administration. They said they were going to pose a funding issue to the voters a while back, but the Ford administration asked them to hold off to be part of an overall arts improvement budget. It seems to me they should just bring it to the voters independently. The independent venues that are supported directly by customers, voters, and benefactors seem to be the most successful. When city politics get involved, enthusiasm and progress seem to come to a grinding halt. I'm thinking of successes like the Zoo, Metro Parks, Museum of Art, Rep, etc.
As for having more retail space downtown, there seem to be plenty of other vacancies. Leave COSI alone, better yet, support it.
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2 comments:
Seems Terry forgot what happened when they tried to make that a shopping area, Portside....
Given the problems they've had with the Erie Street Market, I'd suggest they concentrate on making that a thriving retail location and leave COSI as is.
"Shankland disturbs me..." is a very funny post title to a Democratic Party insider.
This Westgate thing is a bit out of control. Heard today the Costco exec who spoke to The Blade is in some hot water. Developments like this, especially when they'll be controversy among the surrounding rooftops, are always tightly held in the business world. Usually its a politician who leaks!
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