I cannot agree more with number 1 and 2! I am a sucker for locally owned business and Alterra and Botona's happen to be some of my favorites. Maybe even something from the Lowlander group (They own Hollander, Cafe Central, Trocadero, and the new Benelux Cafe). Places like these not only add value to those of us who live and/or work here, but they also have a built in customer base. It would expose a whole different demographic to the area and help fight the flight mentality that sends the younger crowd downtown or to Bay View after hours.

I agree with you totally, Mark. There is SO much potential there. I would love to see a large ampitheater.

I wish city officials would stop wasting tax payer money with the hiring of external consulting and design firms. We have a comphrensive plan and Doug in planning is surely intelligent enough to design as evidenced by his power point presentation for 27th street that the mayor and council so rudely ignored. I wish the council would review and lower salaries for the city clerk and treasurer both are earning way too much close to a hundred grand a year for jobs that do not even require a college degree and decrease the amount of personnel in all departments especially inspection and health and freeze salaries across the board as well as discontinue educational programming for union and especially non-union personnel who can afford to pay out of pocket not on the tax payer's dime. Across the nation all want decreased governmental spending but here in OC the elected officials "think" they are investing in our future? Their simply investing in debt, debt and more debt while padding the pockets of WisPark and their own nests. With all the "planned Development" and tifs over the years my taxes should be going down as more people are feeding the pot m; unfortunately, per all their planning the tax base continues to rise, no new services just more fees. Let development come naturally per the comphrensive plan instead of turning down property owners request to develop. Give new bar owners a break with liquor lic fees and we'd have more fine dining not another fast food drive by.

Half-price books would be good, and bring back the BlockBuster next to Papa's. (Is it true that it was the leaser at fault for this move?) We sure didn't need a mattress store there, and I'm not thrilled with the Dollar Store either. A Hobby Lobby would also be great.

I'd like a Church's Chicken somewhere around Howell and Puetz, But I'd settle for a Popeye's or KFC.

I totally agree with the book store! I would add a steak house or a more fine dining restaurant. Also, I would love to see a Payless Shoes too (for shoe enthusiasts on a budget).

I would love a Red Lobster restaurant or something of that caliber. Also, a quilting store or craft store. Book store would be nice, Barnes and Nobles, maybe? We are between Southridge Mall, 1/2 hr and Regency Mall, 1/2 hr, so maybe a JC Penneys or Sears would be nice.