Improve Miami with incentives

As a Miami native, I have sadly watched this decay of a one-time dynamic area.

I love my city and want it to get its ''glow'' back! Miami and particularly the central downtown area should be ''The City'' everyone is talking about -- a place where people want to shop, dine, relax and visit.

Here are a few suggestions:

Incentives should be given to landlords and tenants to renovate.

Macy's should update. An inviting anchor store will bring in customers.

How about another anchor store?

Developers should make a pledge and contribute in some way to the revitalization of Flagler Street before they are given permits to build.

Landlords, tenants, employees, workmen, builders, etc. need to abide and comply with all building, zoning and code regulations, which need to be enforced.

Hold litterbugs accountable -- stiff fines should result. We are not a Third World country.

Adequate public bathroom facilities, waste cans, regular cleaning crews, police presence, etc., should be available and highly visible.

Public parking needs to be more available and more affordable. Shuttle service should be offered from The Flagler Street Shops to and from Bayside.

The cruise ships, airlines and local hotels should do a media blitz inviting their guests and passengers to ``Downtown's Flagler Street Festival Shops and Boardwalk.''

Art galleries should be welcomed along Flagler. The downtown area should become a destination for arts patrons and visitors.

Downtown Miami has always been known as ''The Jewelry District.'' Massive advertising and public relations should make downtown Miami a destination for those potential shoppers.

Alisa Stein

Miami

Downtown Macy's should take charge

Macy's Florida Chairman Julie Greiner said ''we can do better'' in the store, but she will not take a renovation plan to the Macy's board of directors until downtown leaders commit to cleaning up the area, making it safer and improving parking [June 30].

A couple of years ago I went to the Macy's in downtown Miami to buy a business suit. I couldn't find any I liked. I asked a store clerk and was told to go to the Macy's in Dadeland -- their selection was much greater, etc. So I ended up going to Dadeland and buying a suit at some other mall retailer. I have not gone back to Macy's downtown since.

I hate malls -- hate 'em. I would much prefer to shop in downtown Miami, in department stores or specialty retailers, or in local neighborhood stores. I agree with much of what Julie Greiner says, but at the same time Macy's could show some civic leadership and do its part now -- and be a catalyst for change.

Tim Lomas

Miami

Macy's started something 'long overdue'

I have just read ''Fallout over Flagler'' [July 18] -- so much truth in such little space! The Macy's executive has started something long overdue.

Back in the 1930s, I was a high-school student at Tampa Jesuit. At the time we were often given prizes -- a trip to downtown Miami! Boy, did we look forward to it!

Time went by: WWII, Tulane University in New Orleans, Paris, Philadelphia, etc., and in the '90s, back to Miami. What a contrast to the ''old'' downtown Miami I knew -- a total mess, shameful!

Let's hope the words in Business Monday come to fruition. And let's not forget Mayor Manny Diaz and company -- aren't they accountable? Now . . . Lights, Camera, Action!

Join the discussion

Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@