There were maybe a dozen Afghan businesses in Centerville, mostly because the rents were low and marginal businesses could subsist. Marty is right (darn it) that the place won’t change for a while. It will take success with the redevelopment project, followed by increasing rents coupled with upgrades by property owners to make the place attractive so there is some change driven by the market.

Thank you for the updated information. Good to know.

That is still the story behind the nick-name, regardless.

Could you sight your source for your figures in Virginia? I’d be interested in taking a look.

Thanks!

Sure hope you’re right about the viability of the plan. I try to put my anxiety on hold pending further information. Happy holidays!

I have to say that our Grandad Clyde who lived a lifetime handling, managing, and grooming horses for a couple of the Peninsulas’ well heeled families, never used this term – unless it was in relation to that one last face down “hole” card he was holding . . . . . in a game of poker ( and which WASN’T Texas Hold’em)

I guess premature is in relation to several events that would have to take place BEFORE your worst fears could be realized – - – things like, a design, an application to the city, loads of financing, design reveiws, EIR, etc., etc., etc., (Gus – could jump in here and tell us the precise sequence of events) – but, those activities feel like they would be several years in the making before any ‘dozers or wrecking balls are turned loose.

While I admire the Rev for his verbalizing a concept and desire to pursue same – - – I think he has a tall hill to climb before his vision is reality.

Thus – my conclusion that concerns about Centerville getting “bulldozed” feel premature . . .

P.S – how many Centerville “designs” have you seen come and go ?

I would question the prematurity of my concern when Mr. Green’s own site states that the proposed project would “involve bulldozing most of Fremont Blvd. around the historic theatre (including the old—but hardly landmark—fire station)”. Sounds like the “bulldozing of Centerville” to me. I can only go by what he states that he wants to do, and that is what my concerns arise from.

Of course, if we had City management who were capable of accurately assessing the relative values of proposed developments, I would not be so concerned. Unfortunately, current City management seem capable of consistently backing the most hare-brained proposals that present themselves while allowing the proposals with the potential to benefit the City and its residents to die of neglect.