AUGUSTA
WiFi, dog parks, riverview bridge
City has vision — not necessarily budget — in mind with goals
By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA -- Some city councilors want to look into building a downtown observation deck or a pedestrian bridge across the Kennebec River.
Some also want to let one of the city's parks go to the dogs, expand wireless Internet coverage, provide better access to the upper levels of downtown buildings and develop a code of ethics for councilors.
Those are some of the many goals and objectives councilors are considering setting for themselves, Mayor Roger Katz and administrators, including City Manager William Bridgeo.
Councilors discussed their goals at a meeting Thursday. Each is expected to rank suggested goals on a two-page list in order of importance so an overall, roster can be considered. Bridgeo said the final goals list will likely be reviewed by councilors in a couple of weeks.
This goal-setting is taking place at the same time councilors are preparing to make budget cuts to deal with a projected gap in next year's budget, due to decreased revenues and increased expenses.
"Although our number one priority is dealing with some difficult budget decisions this spring, it is important that we don't lose sight of our role in setting out other city priorities," Katz said Friday. "Adopting goals and objectives, and then revisiting them, is a big part of our job."
The goals range from finishing projects already started -- such as providing maps, signs, brochures and an informational radio broadcast meant to draw people to the city's downtown waterfront -- to investigating ideas that may not happen in the current economic climate.
Building a pedestrian bridge across the Kennebec River from downtown may be an example of the latter category.
The bridge could possibly use granite piers that once supported a bridge but are now unused, left behind in the river. But first, one of the administrative tasks under consideration is researching who actually owns the old piers.
"It's probably orphaned property, but we have to figure out who owns them," Bridgeo said of the granite block piers. "They don't support anything. Maybe they could be used for something. Or maybe the granite could be salvaged."
Another potential goal being considered is construction of a deck on the so-called Segal lot, a city-owned lot between Water Street and the Kennebec.
A potential goal listed as a "mayoral task" is the creation of a code of ethics for the City Council.
"I think it would be helpful to have a council code of ethics, to help guide us and our successors on issues like potential conflict of interest," Katz said. "It hasn't been a problem, but it's probably a good idea to be proactive about it."
Other draft goals include:
* look into turning one of the city's parks into a dog park;
* analyze the potential to expand Wi-Fi coverage after the city last year created a new Wi-Fi high-speed Internet service in the downtown area;
* support efforts to make it easier to use the upper levels of downtown buildings for housing;
* continue to work with the University of Maine at Augusta to create a UMA presence downtown;
* continue to seek resources to renovate and expand Hartford Fire Station and;
* analyze the cost and potential to stream City Council and Augusta Board of Education meetings via the Internet.
Keith Edwards -- 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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12 COMMENTS
Jarody said...
A DOWNTOWN OBSERVATION DECK! I don't need a better view of my city collapsing around me!
March 13, 2010 at 12:39 AM Report abuse
OldTimer said...
And why isn't renovating and expanding the Lithgow Public Library at the top of this list?!?!
March 13, 2010 at 7:22 AM Report abuse
Aldin said...
Hello? City Hall? Anybody home? There's already a bridge from downtown over the Kennebec. It allows bother vehicles and peds to safely cross the river. You recently got the state to rename it some ridiculous long name...something along the lines of Ridiculous Long Name Calumet Bridge at Olde Fort Western or something like that. I know it's hard to remember as it's not as catchy as the old "Father Pedophile Bridge". Aren't there other projects you can waste money on before building a useless bridge for peds...wait...I get it! You want to make it easier for people to commit suicide by drowning, right? You want to make it more difficult to stop people from jumping. Well, if that's the case, wouldn't it be cheaper to take down the fence on Memorial Bridge? In other words: STOP WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS! The Legislature does enough of that for us already.
March 13, 2010 at 7:37 AM Report abuse
Dollar+Bill said...
The Old Timer made an excellent point, what about the Library? I see nothing of saving Bicentennial Park? They will never abide by a code of ethics..
March 13, 2010 at 7:40 AM Report abuse
Wilymainer said...
Really building a pedway? How about wasting some of the monet we don't have and fix some of the streets in Augusta? Wow novel idea.Each year my repair bills for my vechicles get steeper.STOP wasting our money for pet projects
March 13, 2010 at 8:18 AM Report abuse
Yopeace said...
A pedestrian bridge is a GREAT idea - if you build it they will come. Witness the busy activity on the rail trail...a pedestrian bridge adds to the interest and will attract folks to the downtown. Congrats on such innovative forward looking planning - and go for it!!!!
March 13, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
AJ said...
I'd suggest making it high enough to warrant a suicide fence too!
March 13, 2010 at 8:58 AM Report abuse
Relax said...
Some good points being made here. In these times we need to support things we are about to lose instead of dream of things we would like to have. Schools, roads, libaries, etc.
March 13, 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse
null said...
I just returned to Augusta after living out of state for 12 years. This is the same BS that was going on back when I left Augusta. Trying to attract people to Downtown??? This city sold out to WalMart, and that was the death knell.
March 13, 2010 at 10:15 AM Report abuse
Rinoblast said...
If there's any extra cash to go around, it needs to go to infrastructure (like repairing our ridiculous roads). That will aid in economic development, and bring more money for the niceties. And do you need to write a council code of ethics? Aren't you all adults? You're telling me you can't figure that one out on your own?
March 13, 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse
workingclass said...
A pedestrian bridge is a long term project, and I think it's a strong idea. They might consider connecting the rail trail with the area around the Kennebec arsenal. From what I understand there are trails on that side of the river as well in addition to the arsenal itself. The more pedestrian traffic that can be channeled to the riverfront / Water St. area, the better. They should also support the renovation of the Colonial theater in any way they can.
March 13, 2010 at 6:13 PM Report abuse
ontherun said...
I hope Yopeace was just being sarcastic; otherwise I think we have another candidate for governor.
March 14, 2010 at 1:46 PM Report abuse