The area around HomeDepot is thriving as is the area around In-n-out. Yes, they are by the freeway and yes they attract locals as well as those passing through along 205 east/west. But, there is also a family steady stream of cars along 11th but they don't appear to stop by main nor central. The home depot area didn't have much 10 years ago but does not. What is different about main/central that if not repels at least doesn't attract people nor investment?

"In last week’s Tracy Press, there was discussion about the fact that the downtown area seems to be dying a slow death, what with the closing of some businesses (“Businesses close, open in downtown,” Page 2)"

I don't think the downtown is dying. I drove down there this week and noticed one of the businesses listed in the article is NOT closed but has simply moved to another location.

"In this writer’s opinion, a large part of the reason is that there are few places to go and enjoy a good full breakfast, nor any other full-service eateries at night other than the Great Plate that are within walking distance of the downtown area.

The powers that be need to take a look at Pleasanton, which has a downtown that’s a vibrant, bustling business area with an abundance of restaurants of all kinds, from pizza parlors to fast food, Mexican, Italian and everything in between."

Why should the city have to get involved in the restaurant business? Why can't we spend our tax dollars at the mall? I think it would be better served spending money at the West Valley Mall.

"Why doesn’t Tracy promote its Portuguese and Basque heritage? Are the city fathers ashamed of the fact? Why not promote the railroad heritage in some way? At one time I believe there were three major railroads that converged here in Tracy: Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and Western Pacific.

To the City Council: If you really want to seriously revitalize the downtown, you are going to have to do one hell of a lot better job than you are doing now."

Again, why should the city promote these things? The Union Pacific donated an engine car and now it is rusting in Dr. Power's park. To me it kinda looks like Union Pacific left their trash for us to clean up. What kind of "promotion" is that? And why should my tax dollars have to pay for it?

Also, every year, there is a christmas event at the Portugese Hall and nobody goes. This year it was half the size of previous years. I don't think it was in the paper, but still I don't think my tax dollars should pay for advertising any event that is losing money. Historical or not.

a family-style Basque restaurant would be amazing. Anyone who has eaten in one would agree...there are some amazing ones across Nevada that actually make that drive worth it!

Great point! Embrace our heritage instead of trying to re-establish it.

That's not it, at all, TomBenigno.

The mall is close to the freeway.

Just like Tracy Boulevard. Those shops by In and Out Burger are full of people at the eateries.

Sir:

If your a person who consumes goods and services, you are business minded. Lets hope we can turn this mess around.

I'm not a business minded person so I have little to add regarding the reasons business's are not making it downtown. But, as a customer I know what I want. I want good customer service,a clean and healthy facility and variety. And, above all I want to feel safe in and around any business I go to. I look at a business such as Texas Roadhouse here in Tracy. Why are people waiting 15 to 45 minutes to get in and wait longer to be served? Same thing with the Olive Garden or the other eateries by the mall. Why are those business's thriving? Then, consider the downtown. Is their a problem finding parking? Does a person feel safe downtown? Is there variety downtown? Can the City realistically revive the downtown given and is it worth the cost. Answere, these questions and you might have a more realistic goal to pursue. Can one truly make a silk purse out of a hog's ear?