A "downtown" flavor will require a downtown look and feel, something that stretch of 580 is far from. Sketchy motels, payday advance business, and dated trailer parks are all barriers to achieving this. Dunedin has struggled to grow downtown in a Northeast direction past Grant St./Louden Avenue. Several restaurants at the Main/Skinner split have come and gone over the years, so hopefully the downtown Gateway project (if it ever happens) will finally solve that issue. However, it seems like an extension further to Pinehurst (as noted in the article) seems unlikely in the short or mid-term.

I admire Marcia's efforts and enthusiasm towards encouraging our visitors and local population to embrace all aspects of Dunedin and create further awareness. They are not trying to "be" downtown, merely trying to help us expand our horizons. I encourage and support her in every way.

Go Marcia!!!! Dunedin isn't just about "downtown". It has a lot to offer everyone in every corner of the city! Hope you have nothing but success and will be visiting you soon! Kudos to Atlantis Bistro, Star's Family Restaurant and Our Place Dunedin, too!
I'm afraid I can't share the enthusiasm for the Gateway project. I'll believe it when I see it. Already the company that owned it wanted an extension from the city. I'm thinking along the lines of the eyesore that is still on Edgewater. Bought, sold, abandoned, bought, sold and is still looking badly. Plus the renderings are anything but "charming" and "quaint"...two of the best adjectives I've heard about downtown.

My support goes to anyone trying to make improvements. Just getting more positve, uplifting businesses into the area is a wonderful move. One challenge is to improve the curbside appeal - street, to parking lot, to store door is not very appealing. I will be stopping by to check out Our Place Dunedin.