Comments for Kai Degner Homes Team http://www.kaidegner.com Make a Smart Choice! Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:22:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Harrisonburg Streams Council Meetings – See it! by Keith May http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-streams-council-meetings.htm#comment-417 Keith May Sat, 16 Jul 2011 00:22:09 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1269#comment-417 What a fantastic way to make government transparent. Great work Kai and thanks to you and to all your fellow councilmen. What a fantastic way to make government transparent. Great work Kai and thanks to you and to all your fellow councilmen.

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Betsy http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-375 Betsy Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:23:20 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-375 There are a lot of questions that need to be answered and research for the economic benefits and potential of the project, but I'm confident only positive things will emerge. An amphitheater downtown is an investment in the community and an extension of Harrisonburg culture. The development of this project will bring more businesses downtown and hopefully incorporate existing local businesses through concession stands, security and entertainment. Judging from the popularity of past entertainment events (Rocktown Beer & Music, FundFest, Fridays on the Square) the desire for a community space such as this exists and is growing. That said, parking is obviously an issue that needs to be addressed, possibly expanding on an existing parking deck? I'm very excited this proposal has been presented to city council and I hope it draws enough community support to begin to seriously answer the questions posed. Downtown Harrisonburg is unique and any development downtown should reflect the needs and desires of the community. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered and research for the economic benefits and potential of the project, but I’m confident only positive things will emerge. An amphitheater downtown is an investment in the community and an extension of Harrisonburg culture. The development of this project will bring more businesses downtown and hopefully incorporate existing local businesses through concession stands, security and entertainment. Judging from the popularity of past entertainment events (Rocktown Beer & Music, FundFest, Fridays on the Square) the desire for a community space such as this exists and is growing. That said, parking is obviously an issue that needs to be addressed, possibly expanding on an existing parking deck? I’m very excited this proposal has been presented to city council and I hope it draws enough community support to begin to seriously answer the questions posed. Downtown Harrisonburg is unique and any development downtown should reflect the needs and desires of the community.

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Dana http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-361 Dana Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:03:17 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-361 As a JMU student, I think this would be an incredible addition to downtown. As of currently, there isn't a whole lot to do for the younger population outside of JMU. An ampitheater downtown would attract so many more people to that area and it would be in a great area to attract even more businesses. One of my all-time favorite downtown areas is Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. The downtown development committee should check out a lot of the plans they've put to life in that area. They revitalized a lot of historic buildings for restaurants, gallerys, nightclubs, museums, hotels, apartments, theatres, etc. and really brought a lot of gardens and plant wildlife around the city to make the area even more attractive. Nightlife in that downtown area is family-friendly and attracts a wide variety of people to the area. Here's a link to all the developments and progress they've made: http://knoxvillemarketsquare.com/ Great job so far on revitalizing downtown Harrisonburg though. The improvements made are much needed and greatly appreciated! As a JMU student, I think this would be an incredible addition to downtown. As of currently, there isn’t a whole lot to do for the younger population outside of JMU. An ampitheater downtown would attract so many more people to that area and it would be in a great area to attract even more businesses.

One of my all-time favorite downtown areas is Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. The downtown development committee should check out a lot of the plans they’ve put to life in that area. They revitalized a lot of historic buildings for restaurants, gallerys, nightclubs, museums, hotels, apartments, theatres, etc. and really brought a lot of gardens and plant wildlife around the city to make the area even more attractive. Nightlife in that downtown area is family-friendly and attracts a wide variety of people to the area.
Here’s a link to all the developments and progress they’ve made: http://knoxvillemarketsquare.com/

Great job so far on revitalizing downtown Harrisonburg though. The improvements made are much needed and greatly appreciated!

]]> Comment on Capital Alehouse Coming to Harrisonburg by Karen Lee http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/capital-alehouse-coming-to-harrisonburg.htm#comment-359 Karen Lee Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:30:43 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1222#comment-359 I am sorry to lose such a fine restaurant as Cally's and all the memories of great events held upstairs, like the annual Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance update and reception. The staff have always been great to work with, and I wish them the best. And please, will someone tell me if Cally's brewery will be moved and where I can get "Smokin' Scottish" ale? I am sorry to lose such a fine restaurant as Cally’s and all the memories of great events held upstairs, like the annual Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance update and reception. The staff have always been great to work with, and I wish them the best. And please, will someone tell me if Cally’s brewery will be moved and where I can get “Smokin’ Scottish” ale?

]]> Comment on Capital Alehouse Coming to Harrisonburg by Cally’s To Become Capital Ale House | hburgnews.com http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/capital-alehouse-coming-to-harrisonburg.htm#comment-355 Cally’s To Become Capital Ale House | hburgnews.com Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:33:07 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1222#comment-355 [...] City Councilmember Kai Degner remarked on his blog that “[this] marks the only non-locally owned chain restaurant in downtown [...] [...] City Councilmember Kai Degner remarked on his blog that “[this] marks the only non-locally owned chain restaurant in downtown [...]

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Seth Whitten http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-354 Seth Whitten Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:05:35 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-354 this is an exciting idea, but it does concern me a bit when i see posters asking how i'd like to see it done by spring of 2012. as you mentioned in your post, there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed (one that may be worth adding to the list is the lack of lodging in the immediate vicinity for those who travel from out of town), and i'd hate for short term haste to have a detrimental impact on any future prospects of what could be a really great thing for our city. this is an exciting idea, but it does concern me a bit when i see posters asking how i’d like to see it done by spring of 2012. as you mentioned in your post, there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed (one that may be worth adding to the list is the lack of lodging in the immediate vicinity for those who travel from out of town), and i’d hate for short term haste to have a detrimental impact on any future prospects of what could be a really great thing for our city.

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Kai Degner http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-349 Kai Degner Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:17:46 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-349 Thanks, Jay. What do you think would make it a good project for Harrisonburg? Thanks, Jay. What do you think would make it a good project for Harrisonburg?

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Kai Degner http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-348 Kai Degner Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:17:09 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-348 Thanks for the input, Amanda. An indoor facility is intriguing, though I imagine that would be much more expensive to design, build, and maintain than an outdoor center! Still a worth goal - having a conference center for the Shenandoah Valley would be especially intriguing in m mind. I'm a little more worried about parking than you, maybe :) Thanks for the input, Amanda. An indoor facility is intriguing, though I imagine that would be much more expensive to design, build, and maintain than an outdoor center! Still a worth goal – having a conference center for the Shenandoah Valley would be especially intriguing in m mind. I’m a little more worried about parking than you, maybe :)

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Kai Degner http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-347 Kai Degner Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:13:55 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-347 Parking, downtown development strategies, and impact on the Farmers Market are all important considerations. I think we need additional parking infrastructure to serve Harrisonburg's continued growth downtown, especially if we intend to have such a venue. In terms of the Farmers Market, that organization actually already sent a letter of support for the project, I'm sure with the expectation that their space and logistics needs would be incorporated into the design if the project were to move forward. As far as there being underdeveloped and vacant property north of Court Square, that's true - however, there is an important difference: much of that is not currently owned by the city, thus cannot be assumed to be available for a public venue. If a private property owner with enough contiguous land to accommodate such a venue wants to build one, I encourage them to do so! I think developing north of Court Square downtown is important. We're seeing signs of it (Sancar Flats, Wetsel Seed, Blue Nile / Walton Hotel, etc). Parking, downtown development strategies, and impact on the Farmers Market are all important considerations. I think we need additional parking infrastructure to serve Harrisonburg’s continued growth downtown, especially if we intend to have such a venue. In terms of the Farmers Market, that organization actually already sent a letter of support for the project, I’m sure with the expectation that their space and logistics needs would be incorporated into the design if the project were to move forward. As far as there being underdeveloped and vacant property north of Court Square, that’s true – however, there is an important difference: much of that is not currently owned by the city, thus cannot be assumed to be available for a public venue. If a private property owner with enough contiguous land to accommodate such a venue wants to build one, I encourage them to do so! I think developing north of Court Square downtown is important. We’re seeing signs of it (Sancar Flats, Wetsel Seed, Blue Nile / Walton Hotel, etc).

]]> Comment on Harrisonburg Amphitheater Proposal – What do you think? by Kai Degner http://www.kaidegner.com/featuredpost/harrisonburg-ampitheater-proposal-what-do-you-think.htm#comment-346 Kai Degner Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:04:59 +0000 http://www.kaidegner.com/?p=1204#comment-346 Thanks for the input, Jim. I think a discussion about scale and maintenance is important to the conversation. I have your OrangeBand next time you venture into town from Bergton By God, Virginia! Thanks for the input, Jim. I think a discussion about scale and maintenance is important to the conversation. I have your OrangeBand next time you venture into town from Bergton By God, Virginia!

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