Your Ideas for Town Center

Who knows what technological gremlin is causing today's hold-up in posting comments on the site? All I know is, I'm not letting anything keep those comments from readers. Here they are, copied from the virtual dungeon where they've been languishing all day.

We asked:

You said:

Great topic. However, I don't believe it really matters too much what any of us would like to see. Until the town center gets new ownership, we're unlikely to see any significant changes from the status quo. The owner apparently refuses to conduct serious negotiations with anyone, spend any money on improvements or marketing, and seems content to hold the city hostage to this blight unless he can get what he wants. Even long time store owner, Ken Garadella of Napa Jewelers, was quoted recently in the Register as saying the landlord is difficult to deal with. Furthermore, this landlord has flaunted the city ordinance to earthquake retrofit other buildings he owns downtown seemingly with impunity. He's currently eighty years old and, to put it bluntly, I believe his legacy of downtown management will be as a selfish slum lord.  4/11/12 7:46 AM

Until there are shops in them, I'd like to see artists use them: studio space, demonstrations, sales.  4/11/12 8:05 AM

Chico's would be ideal. That store would bring foot traffic into the area. I also think a florist with beautiful blooms in buckets outside, a wine store featuring Napa Valley Wines, a shoe store with some unusual styles, a bakery-coffee shop, a Nordstom's Rack....  4/11/12 8:40 AM

A skating rink, these kids hang out there anyway- let's give them something to do that's fun.  4/11/12 8:49 AM

Zachary's Pizza, the best Chicago deep-dish pizza to be found West of the Mississippi! I have to drive to Berkeley to get it, and it's worth the drive, but having one locally would improve the quality of life here dramatically. Reply to my comment as you will, please, but indicate whether you have ever tasted a slice of Zachary's.  4/11/12 9:11 AM

 I believe that the best way to entice shoppers to the Town Center is to cover the pedestrian areas between the buildings with a translucent all-weather covering which would transform the center into an arcade. It can be free-standing which would make the engineering easy and it would make the walkways more enticing, especially during the holiday season. Just my opinion.  4/11/12 11:00 AM

Derry's comment, the most recent at this moment of writing, actually appeared on the site today, so perhaps we've got the problem licked.

Meanwhile, here's what folks have been saying on our Facebook page:

Arts & crafts supply store, bridal shop, fabric store. Terry Rond Kent 

A Michaels store would be fabulous! Joanelle Cook-Bala

Some decent clothing stores like they used to have. Anchor Blue, and Michael's would be nice ... something that isn't tourist related. Sarah Jane Shadis 

I'd like to see more clothing stores. And a really good lingerie store. Kellie Fuller 

We also had one response on Twitter, from Napa Valley Marijuana Growers, saying they'd like to see ... Napa Valley Marijuana Growers.

Please let us know your thoughts!