General Outlook

Let's face it: If it weren't for the students, most of us wouldn't have jobs. We just need to figure out how to welcome the students to the community without causing traffic congestion and without disturbing our existing neighborhoods.

Solutions

Encourage more student housing closer to campus where the students can walk to class and where they are not encroaching on existing neighborhoods. The perfect places for this are: (1) East Howard St. between the Dan'l Boone Inn and the ASU Post Office, (2) West Howard St. between the ASU Business Building and the Wilcox Emporium, and (3) along Blowing Rock Rd. (Hwy 321) between Hardee's and Wachovia. The property owners in this area would be encourged to provide high-density, mixed-use projects with housing on the upper floors and retail on the lower floors. This way students can walk to class and to the nearby shops--without the necessity of a car and without encroaching on family-oriented neighborhoods.

Speaking of the car, the downside to this idea is that parking will be extremely limited. Not everyone will be guaranteed a parking space at their apartment. But hopefully, satellite parking could be provided on the periphery of town so students won't feel stranded. As an example, maybe Wal-Mart would rent out parking spaces and the students could take the bus from campus to Wal-Mart. It would be similar to your freshman year when you parked at the State Farm Lot. What do you think?

Entertainment

Boone could do a better job of providing entertainment options for students. One of the best places for this would be downtown King St. This area could offer late night coffee shops, bookstores, bars, restuarants, theaters as well as music and art venues. This would be an area where students could "hang-out" without necessarily getting a noise violation.

I don't think I can have much impact on rents--that's more an issue of economics and supply and demand. However, if we can find ways to provide more student housing closer to campus, theoritically we are increasing supply which creates competition--and competition has the affect of tempering prices or raising the quality of the product provided. Therefore, you get a nicer apartment at a more reasonable price.

Environment

I would like to work in conjuction with ASU organizations to make recycling more convenient on campus and in the town. Together we could design recycling bins that are attractive and help facilitate the seperation of items. These bins could be placed throughout town and campus so people will not even consider throwing #2 plastic away! 

Completion of a Bike Trail to ASU

Plans for a bike trail from Wal-Mart to ASU have been on the books for years. Unfortunately, the trail has hit some road blocks due to funding and property aquisition. I understand road blocks, but maybe we can find some alternative routes. These routes may not be perfect, but maybe they will suffice until we can bring the dream route into reality. One suggested route has been to go through the Boone Mall. The Mall might be receptive: they have done a great job of renovation and allowing a bike trail through their property might help attract customers!