The slow progress of improving the area, the increase in crime, and the previous lack of police presence. It seems we have to fight here to get anything done. I see some progress though.
 
We were unable to attend the meet and greet. My husband and I were putting in hardwood floors in our house. A whole weekend project. I would have liked to put some names with faces especially since very few people on the forum use their real names.

After reading the story I think it shows some positives.
We cant expect the city to pay for everything, revitalization of private business building etc is up to the owner.  
 
Mr. Harden has done a wonderful job with Bluff Park Village, I remember when there was nothing up there but trouble.  
 
Question- Does anyone know who owners the Shades Mtn Shopping center? I think it is split into 2 parts each side (piggly Wiggly side and the dentists side) being owned by different people/ developers. They might be back together now.. I am not sure. I know in the 90' John Gibson owned it (lived across from me) but he sold it.. and then I think it sold again. It does not look like the owner (s) are interested in revitalizing that complex.. never interviewed by media, never at any of the community meetings..etc

I don't see much difference with Bluff Park Village.  If anything I think it is much worse now than it was 8-10 years ago.  Back then we had Delchamps, Harco, the cleaners, Deja Vu now we have....a storage building and dollar general??  That doesn't show improvement to me.  I appreciate that he cares about the revitalization but I don't think putting in that huge storage co is doing much revitalizing.  Just my opinion!
 
As far as Shades Mtn. Plaza goes...it is owned by several different people.  One guy owns Team Spirit, the Cleaners and the empty space where Team Spirit used to be I know.  I'm not sure what else he owns.  He is very nice though I can't remember his name.  On the other side Barron's old space and down to the cleaners old space is owned by another person.  I never met them because a real estate company manages the property for them.  They aren't very nice.  The white building is owned by another real estate co with several partners.  I think some of the partners are also partners in the Superior Mortgage Co. that is in the left side of the white building and live in Buff Park.