Changes on Main Street

At tonight's Woodstock Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting Willis Johnson, owner of Classic Cinemas, presented his enlarged plan for improvements to his movie theater on Main Street.

And enlarged they are. He has purchased additional property, and his plans will create a whole new look as one enters Main Street from the north.

I like the Willises and their architects. They are "real" people. They have a chain of movie theaters in buildings that respect their communities.

This new plan will change the whole look of the west side of Main Street. Some old-timers won't like it. But looking ahead 20-30-50 years, this is a great improvement and sets the stage for other improvements in the historic downtown district.

The Willises are sensitive to our Square. Sure, they are going to make money with their investment. That's okay. (Let's hope they don't raise ticket prices to $8.00.) The increase in number of theaters and number of movies shown will create a huge increase in downtown business. Let's hope the downtown merchants pull together and make downtown Woodstock a thriving business community.

Parking? Okay, so movie-goers and others can walk a block or two. So what?

Other shopping, dining? Movie-goers will flock to adjacent restaurants and stores. They'd better get ready for increased customer traffic. If they don't adjust, they can then just stand by and watch customer shop elsewhere.

Woodstock Downtown Business Association is working hard on its Main Street Program. Got an idea or opinion? Let it be known.

One of the HPC questions tonight about availability of window space in the new addition to Classic Cinemas for promotion of downtown events reminded me of Boulder Mall. In Boulder, Colorado, several downtown blocks were shut off to vehicular traffic. Trees were planted and park benches were placed. Downtown is BOOMING! And where are posters about events?

Nailed to trees and slapped on sides of kiosks scattered up and down the Mall. If you want to put up a poster, you just nail it up. No fancy approvals, no Code, no "requirements". Free speech, don't you know? Would that work here?