Recent Facebook posts to Garrett Memories and News and City
of Garrett) have entertained some discussion about Garrett’s potential
future. Since I initiated these posts, many others have joined to contribute various
ideas, thoughts, etc, which is encouraging, as no one or two or three people
have the answers; community development is a shared, community affair, so all
interested persons and parties should continue with their contributions.
In the mean time, with Garrett Alumni Days just ahead, I take this opportunity to sketch my
vision more fully in 10 bullet points … BUT – and this is very important:
·
In the spirit of
“brain-storming,” where the objective is not to develop practical solutions, so
much as to stimulate OTHERS toward new-thinking and new, better-yet ideas …
·
While recognizing
the limitations noted in the final bullet #10 (to which you might skip ahead and
read now).
Frankly, I will play no role whatsoever in
whatever might unfold. I do not own property in Garrett, nor investment
capital. I am not an entrepreneur, I have no experience in community
development, and no wish to be economically employed. So if any of this is to
go anywhere, other people must arrive at sound ideas they can bank on.
My objective is merely to suggest that there
might be real but presently unfathomed opportunities; and to hope that enough OTHER people will chime in with ideas, and
create a momentum that business-minded people might coalesce around and make
something of.
1.
First, if you have
not read the preface above, PLEASE do so before continuing. Otherwise you will
misconstrue my intentions and objectives throughout all that follows.
2. Then look at the recent
success of Shorty’s Steakhouse, and note the acceleration of development close
to Garrett (DuPont and CR 11-A). There is a now ton of affluence between Ft
Wayne and Garrett, and far more people would come to Garrett should the town
offer more.
3.
Genuine success
will require multiple ideas and many players, not just one killer-idea.
4.
Current assets
include:
a.
Authentic,
historical Creek
Chub Bait heritage
b.
Authentic,
historical B&O
Railroad heritage
c.
A Railroad Museum
(that could be developed more)
d.
A
quite nice Garrett
Museum of Art, thanks to the Garrett State Bank and Mark Ober
e.
A new
state of art, technology-based high school
f.
Garrett
Public Library, ready to begin yet another major expansion, and celebrating its Century year in 2014.
g.
Judy A
Morrill Recreation Center
h.
Relatively
low cost property
i.
The
Gala Theater?
5.
This one is a
long-shot, but that is a plus in the brain-storming stage:
a.
Imagine
configuring the Gala for weekly or monthly, unique
musical entertainment that can’t readily be found in most regional bars: blues, blue-grass, folk, Irish, pre-1970
country, etc.
b.
The idea is to
offer “authentic” music in an “authentic” town; a LOT of people would come if
the marketing, setting, and execution were right.
c.
Right now, Garrett
is home to Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician Audie Blaylock and his bandRedline. This is a very significant presence, and I know the entire region is home to many less-accomplished
but still interesting blue-grass musicians who would presumably love a venue in
which to play.
6.
If you think #5 is
too far-fetched, take a look at the Garrett
Memories and News thread initiated by Doug Gilliland on June 23, asking
people “What are your favorite train songs?” The response was huge, 76
responses over the following two weeks! The
point being that people LOVE music that is inspired by authentic yester-year
experience; and what better venue for such than Garrett, grounded so in Fishing
and Trains?
7.
Looking toward this
horizon, the Garrett Museum of Art
and Railroad Museum might be great
assets with a running head start. Artists and artisans might create art and crafts
that would attract visitors to Garrett, and/or give those who visit for other
reasons something more to take in.
8.
Then what to make
of the Creek Chub Bait heritage?
9.
A lot of towns have done more than we have yet
begun to imagine, with a lot less to work with.
10.
Let’s be very
clear and realistic: This kind of development will not in itself “save”
Garrett. But if it makes Garrett more pleasant to live in and more attractive
to outsiders, then more outsiders and families will choose Garrett for their
home, including those with the skills, talent, assets, and drive to make
Garrett better yet … and Garrett desperately needs this kind of reinvigoration.
Too many people leave town after school – Garrett must take back whatever it
can from the wider, outside world.
Finally, don’t get “sidetracked” by disagreement
over particular schemes. NTWW (no,
that won’t work) is a fatal distraction. LOTS OF IDEAS ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT
WORK; the key is to move forward with better
ideas instead letting a few negatives deflate your interest.
The point is that Garrett does have some real, presently unexploited potential; the question is what, if anything, might the town make of it?
 |
The
1922 school moves into the future – a visionary integration of
technological
empowerment with a deep commitment to Garrett heritage |
 |
New High School technology
lab - the white boards are actually digital
|
 |
Garrett Heritage Painting
by Neal (or Niel) Robinson,
Donated to the high School by the Class of '74
|
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The Railroad Inn, a Garrett
staple for as long as I can remember
|
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City clock, modeled on the classic
railroad pocket watch
|
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Vintage early 60s view from
underneath the old Gala Theater
|
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Inside Shorty's, the
original bar
|
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Another view of the Garrett Museum of Art, housed in the old
Garrett State Bank building
|
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Traxside
Bar and Grill at
the location of the famous, old, and long-lived Strawberry’s
|
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Garrett Public Library,
ready to begin yet another
major expansion, and celebrating its Century year in
2014
|
 |
Detail from “We Are Garrett” (new High School
hallway lettering)
|
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New state of art,
technology-based Garrett High School
|
(watch
for the period between Rowe and OriGraphics)
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