
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993                   TAG: 9306080330
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: EARL REYNOLDS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JOBS, TAXES, IMAGE

ONE OF the major factors in the Martinsville region's development is the vitality of the central business community. Most experts on cities believe that a strong downtown is an indication of the quality of the entire region.

Certainly, when industrial prospects visit the area, they ask to see the central business community, where they form a quick impression of the region. The business area is too important to the economic health of the region for this impression to be anything less than the best we can make it.

Therefore, the city of Martinsville is beginning to develop an action plan for the revitalization of the central business community, which supports the largest geographic concentration of jobs and taxes in the region. The area now will be called "uptown."

Like many other communities, large and small, the city of Martinsville believes this action plan is a critical step in determining its future economic health. It also can be one of the great examples of democracy at work through public participation.

If allowed to continue, the erosion of the community's economic base will adversely affect the entire area. The central business area must be protected and enhanced. Too many vacant spaces result in lower property values, which in turn leads to lower tax revenues.

Similarly, vacant spaces set off the same chain of events for merchants, and they suffer lost sales, and then the city loses again. Lower tax revenue from the central business community brings about the possibility of higher taxes for everyone.

Therefore, investing in the central core of the city will cost everyone far less over the long run, while enhancing the city's image for business and residential growth.

When looking to the city's future, we must remember that Martinsville is quite limited in area for new industrial development. We simply don't have large suitable sites.

So, we must devise a growth strategy that takes advantage of our existing assets, and the central business community stands at the top of the list.

Being a partner with the Downtown Revitalization Association, the city has recognized that a bold and aggressive effort is required to renew the central business community.

We anticipate that the effort will be the most participatory planning process ever attempted in Martinsville. Experience tells us that successful planning occurs when there are opportunities for participation by the entire community. Original ideas come from those involved in the process, guided by planning professionals.

We also understand that a real stake in such a plan will occur only if there has been full and enthusiastic participation.

Our planning process will involve an unprecedented series of steps to involve the community in devising what can only be called the community's plan. It will be as good as we all make it.

The City Council joins me in urging all residents to get involved in the opportunities to shape this plan.

If we seize on the lessons learned from this citizen-based planning, we can apply them successfully to the additional efforts that are required to reach Martinsville's potential.

The central business area truly is the heart of the entire region, and through sound planning and citizen involvement, the heartbeat will be strong. Please join us.

Earl Reynolds is city manager of Martinsville.

by CNB