03/16/2023
Don't Stop Believing
https://youtu.be/WpICsyYT4sA
Message 1:
My name is Sam Mancini. I'm now a retired, disabled aerospace designer, of roughly 25yrs, living in Barstow, on N. 2nd. My last project was producing the entire construction drawing package (AutoCAD) used in refurbishing (basically widening everything for the new jumbo jets) of the McCarran international airport in Vegas, an active airport during the project. Thru out my career, alth focused on aerospace, I designed military bases, laid out underground utilities for small cities , or interstate gas lines, did site planning, residential/commercial architecture, etc., all in 3D. Every project I supervised, I always kept cost/benefit versus available liquid funds in mind, environmental concerns,(in this case, water is the absolute #1 consideration), as well as how can you utilize local materials/assets, make it a win/win for all parties involved, while covering your butt legally from litigation. I truly believe Barstow has EVERYTHING it needs to become a perfect tourist rest stop, as well as, eventually, a place the younger generation wants to live and settle down. I absolutely agree that the three block area of old historical Barstow are the key. You're almost exactly halfway between Vegas and LA, a few blocks off the freeway, perfect, yet there's just no reason to stop and sight see here. You get gas, maybe a bite to eat, and book. I've now lived here five years, use a cane, and LOVE people watching, window shopping, listening to music, seeing art, lights, window displays, etc., Yet, I've never once gone out the 50yds from my door to stroll main street in the evening. It's mostly hoarded up, dark, scary, no benches to sit on, nothing to look at it listen to, even if there was, etc. Doesn't matter how nice Barstow is in those three blocks, during the heat of the summer month, makes those three blocks only somewhat usable, during the day. Most people traveling from Vegas I would say might travel early morning or at night, when cooler. Barstow downtown doesn't open till 10-11am, and closes down about 6. I know instinctively a business owner may think that's when they'll have the most foot traffic, but I propose a different strategy. Make Barstow a night time stopover for Vegas/LA travellers, with coffee shops, soft music, benches, and lights along main. Quiet jazz or other music venues, emphasis on quieter. After hours clubs that serve just coffee and light food, but have TV, music, couches,soft lighting, etc. Maybe one club for adults, one for families, so kids can relax and stretch. Advertise Barstow as open for Business all night. Have controlled parking for travellers so they can park in or rest for under 24hrs, giving them time to enjoy the open, downtown businesses, but avoiding homeless people using the lots. Put in small parks with plenty of seating, lighting, music,
https://youtu.be/JRzi6VOUpzU
artwork, memorial parks, etc. Visual and audio stimulation is critical to get people to stop and stay. At the meeting, I was told that a lot of downtown property owners can't afford bringing properties up to code. I'm not legal, but I know that after Katrina, New Orleans relaxed many of their codes because quite literally, no one could afford to rebuild to code immediately. I believe the establishments were allowed to operate subcode, with common sense conditions and time limits, uninsured and I believe posted at door, that said business was not up to current code, but is being allowed to operate, on an emergency basis, in order to generate income in order to become compliant. Patronize this business, at your own risk, knowing it is not yet up to city code. I have many other ideas on how to attract businesses to Barstow, make it a win for local property owners, businesses, and the city. I will gladly donate any of my skills as a volunteer, if you feel I might be useful. I'm an expert 3D designer, AutoCAD, retired, web page designer and associated management of, ran the Salvation army's men's lodge, 250overnight male guests, feeding both clients and another 125+ street line, daily for two years, 2003-2004, demographics tracking for grant writing, work program coordinator, food bank purchasing, donation drives and donations intake and tracking. Just throwing these thoughts out there. You said you wanted input last night at the meeting, so ... Sincerely, Sam Mancini
Message 2:
Another idea that might be feasible for the downtown boarded up places. If there's no way to mitigate the cost enough for these places to open for business, could it be possible to talk to the owners about removing the plywood, putting displays with solar lights in the windows with a privacy backdrop, things to look at, , so that the places look occupied to the visitors. I live right around the corner, and would gladly volunteer to be seen going in an out of these places during night hours, turning small lights on and off, maybe a radio, etc. to keep any vandalism at bay. Simply strolling the three block stretch at weird, unpredictable times I bet would be effective. At least that way the places would appear operational, only without any one really there. Maybe signs implying place will open soon, etc. Or private residence. Just anything to make it look active instead of boarded up.
Message 3:
I've run two types of program houses. Both I think could work here in Barstow. One targeting adult men working day labor, or part-time, pre-paid by the week and one for those without steady work of any kind, but will pay 15$ a night as a program participant, for a safe bed, food, and a bathroom each night I picture small, 2bdrm houses, two sets bunk beds per room with lockers, and a house manager each. The work program: Rent must be pre-paid weekly (85$) to stay in program, but first week will be free. 8 men will generate approx 2700$+ monthly. Meals provided, but each client must go to a food bank once a month for house pantry. Curfew 9pm-5am. No visitors. No hanging around in the surrounding neighborhood. No drugs or alcohol. Rules and chores strictly enforced. Nightly house at 15$ a night would generate more, but takes tighter control. Check in no earlier than 4, but no later than 6pm each evening. Anything left at bed if not checked in by then, will be removed, and bed given to next person. No leaving once checked in, no visitors, no meeting friends at the property fence, no hanging around the immediate neighborhood, etc. House will be off limits from 8am till 4pm. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. No drugs or alcohol. All rules strictly enforced.
Message 4:
Better yet idea on the work program house. Make it 100$ pre-paid weekly with 15$ of that banked for the client in savings, to be accessed only thru graduation from program, or agreement of program supervisor as a legitimate emergency. Basically, forced savings
Message 5:
The more I think about these things, I can see how all of these ideas would help each other succeed. Open main street businesses will need stable employees. New, young hires rarely have any savings to speak of and no way to afford to rent a place. A work program house set up near downtown can be offered to main street employees as a perc, a way for them to save and keep a roof over their heads. I would think this would tend to help keep good people steadily employed. This would help attract younger, new taxpaying Barstow residents. Have any programs set up as emergency, nonprofit, community development to help the chronically unemployed and/or homeless in Barstow. I would see about how some of the businesses might also be included under this "Special, nonprofit, emergency city development project" . In fact, I would do this in as many places as possible. Making everything a non-profit program to improve the poor and underemployed would cover a majority of the exposer to any litigation, eliminate residency and associated costs and eviction battles, and should also qualify for various city improvement grants, both state and federal. It should also allow the program to encourage public support thru donations of cash, one to one sponsorship, time, materials, expertise, skills, etc. Any one not meeting program requirements has 30 days to vacate the "program" unit that was assigned to them. Just like a college dorm room, you leave school, you lose your room. You can't claim residency, the college doesn't have to evict you, you can't fight it in court. That's how I would set Barstow reduced rental and program houses ideas up. Participants of a program, not a person renting a place like normal rentals.
Message 5:
Any homeless program participants have to be told clearly that these advanced programs are for documented, long-term homeless Barstow residents period. ANY homeless, unemployed from outside of Barstow that think they can show up and receive the generosity offered thru our programs, simply can't. Period. New, homeless in Barstow MUST be documented as using the regular church supported emergency shelter and food services first, for at least 6 months before they can be referred to the advanced programs. This will help keep any programs that actually work, from being overwhelmed because of word getting out
Message 6:
I highly recommend the city find a way to at least lease the hill behind my house on 2nd Ave just north of main street. That is too much space, too perfectly situated to old downtown, literally easy walking distance for anyone, and screaming to be developed into a simple scenic overlook. I picture clear signage on main, pointing to a beautiful path going down beside union bank, and up the hill using winding pathways circling the hill, benches or large rocks, etc. for disabled people like me to sit and rest on, or for kids to climb and play on. Maybe a few simple wood awnings over the benches, topped with a simple solar panel to softly light the benches and pathways at night, but could also power USB ports at each bench, for visitors to use to charge phones/laptops. A nice large flat area at the top, all sorts of places to sit and take in all of Barstow, are the surrounding Mohave. Solar power lights, music, outlets at top. In the beginning, that's all I'd do. Nothing too expensive, relatively easy to accomplish quickly, and the benefit added should far outweigh any costs to implement. You can stress to the land owner that he'll receive a small, but steady income, the hill will be improved, simply, but with no actual construction or development. With the groomed trails, lit benches and walkways, a nice flat overlook at the top, when he does decide to truly sell the parcel outright, it will show much better to potential buyers, with the improvements made by the city. I would caveat that by saying the city would like to have the right to bid on the property, and hopefully retain it, first, before anyone else. I truly believe this hill parcel will prove very important in the future of Barstow, if utilized and integrated into the historic downtown district overall plan. Overlooks are ALWAYS a popular attraction, to both visitors, and residents! Also, I walked the three block district here. If you can find a way to get those boards of these buildings, so we can make them appear to be functional, I'll paint all of the facades, personally, for free. I'm very serious. I was taught by an old, custom craftsman who did only high end jobs, so I'm actually highly skilled, neat, and love doing it as it's actually good exercise for me. I'm guessing, from what I saw, given a ladder, and paint and painting supplies, I'm pretty sure I could get the majority of the street level facades looking nice in about a week or so, depending on my back, but the upper facades may take a little longer, as I'll be up and down a ladder, over and over. But, I could work alone, without help, and for free, so I can't see a downside here 😁😎 north 2nd Street, the houses along the previously discussed hill, all have white fencing, railings, stairs, etc. The ones that look freshly painted, I did. All of them working about 3hrs each morning for about 5 days. That will show you roughly, what I'm capable of doing, simply to keep busy......
Message 7:
Use of a private owned business might be achieved by pointing out that, now, they have an empty, unmaintained property generating zero income, but still incurring taxes. If they donate the use of said property to the humane society at market rate, they now have an open, maintained building, that now generates a market rate monthly donation to a charitable organization that can be claimed on taxes. Win win for both parties
Message 8:
I know I've been quite prolific here, but I'm extremely passionate about helping others, especially the community I live in. That said, the initial premise of this was the meeting to get ideas about revitalizing downtown, AND attracting a younger generation to Seriously consider Barstow a place to settle down, and call home, or just want to come and visit. I attended the meeting, not as a lifelong resident who owns half the town, has been here their entire life, remembers the good ol days, wants to honor and recreate the past glory, etc , but as a retired engineer AutoCAD designer, who spent decades redesigning things, calculating risk/benefit, defining objectives, calculating available resources and need, timelines, etc. My only thoughts the entire meeting was what can Barstow, a city that's basically broke, restore life back to the city, as quickly as possible, so money starts flowing again, in a way they can afford. That's it. Don't care what the vibe is decided on, don't care what people want to honor, or memorialize. I just simply an considering cost, time, and need. Any major projects, or grand designs are fine. Just completely insane at this time. I heard proposals for new buildings to be built, maybe jazz clubs, restaurants, etc. With half the buildings downtown boarded up and closed, unused. And a water crisis still needing addressed. Without the community around any new building left as is, it's all doomed to fail. And these projects are expensive, long term timelines, construction plan approvals, bids, construction itself, etc. We're talking years for completion alone, let alone opening them and getting business known. I think Barstow needs help now, not five years from now. And help now, in a way the city can actually, realistically afford and execute quickly, rather than spending big bucks on a future development plan, that you HOPE will work. I say develop the 3 block historic area quickly, cheaply, and thoroughly. Get it thriving, active, solidly secure business wise, then do the big development investment on the stretch between the historic downtown and Walmart. Most of that would be new build, which is much more cost effective than restoring, or refurbishing to historic looks, old existing buildings. And the new development would have an existing, thriving downtown already established, tourists already using Barstow as THE stop between Vegas and LA, which would mitigate the chance of building a major project, and no one comes. I see this approach being much less risky financially, and much more likely to be accomplished quickly, and much more likely to succeed. So, unless you specifically tell me to shut up 😁 I'll continue to call it like I see it, give my two cents worth, etc. Even if you disregard every single idea I've presented, I still would love to volunteer my time to help in any way. I've already been maintaining N. 2nd. I could easily do the main street painting and minor repairs. Doesn't matter to me. I just want to be as useful as possible, and it has to be for free. I don't need the money, and that defeats the purpose. In fact, I might be in a position to make a monthly donation to a downtown maintenance fund, or equivalent. I've done a lot of fund raising, and I think that's another avenue the city should explore. Get Barstow residents invested in the projects, makes it personal to them
Message 9:
As a side note, a city project, hoping to entice younger people, would be a perfect place to maybe have, say, four aspiring local high school students picked to apprentice on the project and learn my design skills as they help develop the drawings needed. This would give them a highly marketable skill, going forward, and they would become invested in their community, and would give a younger point of view during meetings and discussions.
Message 10:
The ideal approach, right now, I feel would be to coordinate everything together. The Program to develop and attract new business, the quick cosmetic upgrade and unboarding of downtown, adding solar lighting and benches, and making places appear open, developing small parks with lots of resting places, one with live, local musicians, visual stimulation everywhere, and music. Then make sure the Programs for low income workers are established, so that the new employees in Barstow have affordable housing, as many of the homeless sleeping on sidewalks placed in these programs, and those chronic, establish a place close to downtown, but away from view and interaction, then make it clear that altho downtown area will now be off limits to anyone sleeping, loitering, etc., the city does supply this other controlled, area were you will be able to set up, and won't be hassled. Basically let them be, with basic rules. No dealing. No visitors. And no hanging around the area. No drinking, drugs, or anything like that in the common area Period. Make it clear that they can medicate, with whatever they feel they need to, privately, in their assigned tent or space, without fear of police, but only after informing the designated "watcher" of intent. The watcher would check on anyone medicating after 5mins if they don't return, to see if they overdosed. If it's opioid, narcan has a chance to be administered. Anything else, well, at least the city will know where to find their body. It sounds harsh, but chronic homeless won't accept help, and they're going to do their drug of choice, period, wherever they happen to be. At least this way, you'll have a more centralized area to concentrate outreach, and the downtown area can be strictly controlled. But very realistically, emergency, police, and outreach will know where to go for these people most of the time, and yes, collect their body if intervention wasn't successful, but also start to implement subtle little interventions that might start to help the underlying drug addiction issue. Like a "watcher", and site, access control person, both armed with narcan. Maybe a social worker of some sort hanging around, offering options and advice. Stress the importance of them keeping their site clean and neat (dumpster and porta potties can be provided). I feel that the best chance of things succeeding here, is if all three issues are addressed together, and ready, concurrent with each other: Unboard, paint, and make 3blocks of historic downtown look freshly painted, and open, open or not, then stuff the area with small parks, benches, lights, music, window displays, art displays, etc. Move the homeless out of downtown, providing them a place with minimal intervention, so they'll actually use it. Develop all tiers of housing programs: homeless without income, part time or minimum wage workers, with jobs, needing affordable housing, and housing at under market rent rates, designated solely for those companies to offer their employees, that agree to locate here. The amount of rent reduction can be associated with the number of potential jobs the company may bring to Barstow. I think that's it. At this point, I'd start the online media blitz, announcing the NEW Barstow, targeting the LA and imperial valley communities, and Vegas, for obvious reasons. Then, branch out from there. Any one part missing, and everything might not work. Coordination, and being prepared to open fully, everything ready at same time, is critical. I can see this being accomplished by Christmas, if we start, well, like yesterday.... 😎 I'm ready
Message 11:
Another idea just came to mind that I'm liking more and more. You have a lot of things you could highlight and help increase exposure to at the corner of Barstow Rd near Dana Park and the fire station. Desert discovery center, Mohave river museum, the parks, fire station, and a shopping center with most everything. I picture a shuttle, free, from a park at 1st and main or near, that goes up 1st, over mountain view to Belinda, then up Belinda to a drop off point backside of Dana Park somewhere. Tractor drawn, slow pace, large hay flatbed trailer with high sides, hay bales and wood benches to sit on, no set schedule, just back and forth about once every couple hours, times posted. No major roads used, very short distance, and I myself, would absolutely use it! I'm on N. 2nd, and I have to take two buses to get there. I'm disabled, and usually end up walking, at least one way, to avoid paying for two bus rides to go about 1.4 miles. A shuttle like this would help locals like me get around, as well as take tourists to a place that would definitely add value to the downtown experience and offer access to more businesses and attractions
Message 12:
Get additional couple high school or college students to help with advertising campaign. They will know social media best, their input can reviewed, implemented, a submittal proposed to city council, changes made, then resubmitted, approved and started. I can see the Thanksgiving to Christmas period the ideal time introduce Barstow, After Dark. Not your Grandma's travel stop! This one's Barstow, THE only place really worth stopping and relaxing at, between Vegas and LA. Period. Grand reopening scheduled for a couple days before Thanksgiving, to new years day. Shops, art, music, parks, eateries, wine tasting, coffee shops, museums, history. It's ALL here, and open when YOU need us! Check us out online at whatever, then make a point of visiting us. 😎 Basically that's it, with pics, descriptions, bits of history, stores, maps, etc
Message 12:
I can also envision a Barstow After Dark YouTube site with all the live entertainment, car shows, art, anything. The sites start earning money automatically, after x number subscribers, and have donation and gear for sale links, all of which could then be used for encouraging arts and music downtown, actually paying them a stipend or funding events.
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