BONI: Get ready for downtown Crestview's renaissance
This week, the News Bulletin's Facebook page received numerous comments about Crestview traffic and shopping options.
Two comments, in particular, stuck with me.
A resident of 24 years said Hub City traffic should receive as much attention as the downtown area does. "If they invested as much effort into fixing this issue as they do about downtown and Main Street, which most of the population (couldn't) care less about, our problems would be well on the way to being solved," he said.
The comment appeared in the News Bulletin's Hubbub section, which includes readers' most thoughtful and humorous comments.
On Wednesday, another resident wrote about Main Street — this time, with affection.
"Downtown Main Street has some awesome finds if you look," Sarah Hawkins said. "At Desiree's … I found a navy blue tunic that would be perfect for my museum events at night and it works for every workday wear, too — taking it to a seamstress in town for more added detail and 3/4 length sleeves.
"I've done Trixie's (my dog's) Christmas shopping at Pawsitively Scrumptious — it's where I get her food, anyway. April (Meier, owner) is super knowledgeable about dog nutrition and only sells the best.
"I get my sister-in-law's tea and supplies at Baron's.
"I've gotten a nice custom necklace made at Joey's — he took a triangular-shaped piece of Cosmic Jasper I had and molded some rose gold to resemble wire-wrapping — the stone fits snugly in place and the stone was unadulterated.
"At Rustic Reflections, every time I look at the Parisian booth, I want to buy the whole thing. On another plus side, everything is handcrafted and everything is placed in such a way that looks tidy and nicely done.
"… I find good things (on Main Street) all the time and the store owners are nice."
As a news editor who keeps an open mind, I understand both perspectives.
North Okaloosa County residents mostly rely on one road — State Road 85 — to get them where they need to go. Traffic could have been planned better, with anticipation and preparation for growth. So I understand a resident's frustration with seeing the Community Redevelopment Agency's regular meetings to enliven Main Street, most of which seems to close at night and on weekends.
But I also understand the value of buying local, and Hawkins' comment demonstrates how much you can find in the historic downtown section. Even if the CRA has a long way to go, investing time and money is worth it.
After all, why buy online if you can find something just as good, even better, on Main Street? (All the while, putting food on a Crestview resident's table, helping to support his or her children's education, and lining their pockets with cash to spend locally, which benefits everyone.)
It's not an either-or situation: traffic or downtown redevelopment.
Over the past few months, I've met with influential, inspired people who want to revitalize Main Street and make it — not Fort Walton Beach or Destin — North Okaloosa residents' destination.
In 2016, the News Bulletin will partner with those individuals to spread that message.
Keep reading, because based on those conversations, and knowing the plans in the works, I think of another comment that struck me this week: Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Nathan Boyles' view about the state of Main Street, as he considered the new courthouse design.
"I really believe we're heading for a renaissance in downtown Crestview," he said.
Ditto.
What's your view? Email tboni@crestviewbulletin.com or tweet @cnbeditor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: Get ready for downtown Crestview's renaissance
