Mayor for a Day: Make Downtown Attleboro More Friendly

If you had the chance to sit in the corner office at , what changes, if any, would you make to the way the city does business?

We recently spoke to Roxanne Joe of Attleboro, who was shopping at the . Joe said she'd like to see the downtown area become more pedestrian-friendly. She said she would also like to see additional small businesses and more restaurants in the downtown area, and free parking to go with it.

"Right now, it's hard to find a reason to come downtown to spend three to four hours," she said. "I hope this is the first step in the revitalization process, because this city has great potential."

We asked Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas and mayoral candidate Ronald Churchill what they had to say about dowtown business and revitalization and here's what they told us.

Mayor Kevin Dumas: "Ms. Joe, I am glad that you shared your thoughts with Patch. The first phase of streetscape took into account pedestrian safety with the bump-outs that were constructed in order to make it easier for people to cross the street. This is important in the central downtown area where it is most difficult to cross the street.

"If there are any specific areas pedestrian areas that are of concern please let me know.

"As per additional businesses, the City has been using its community block grant funds to invest in small businesses like , as well as a new restaurant that will be opening next to Scorpio's. It is my goal to continue this type of investment in the downtown and increase the activity in this area.

"Parking is free in the central downtown and that is why there are no parking meters. This is an incentive versus paid parking. Also, it has to be time limited to prevent people from occupying spaces all day.

Mayoral candidate Ronald Churchill: "I feel that small businesses are the key to not only our community but that of our country. Most economists are in agreement that small business is the stimulation to economic growth. In my youth and early in my career with the city, was booming. That boom was the spin off the industry in the city. That has since changed and Attleboro will need to encourage and attract new ways of stimulate a vibrant downtown. Our has been neglected for sometime now. The relationship between the city and the chamber must be renewed. The health of our business community depends on it."

Question: If you were mayor for a day, what priorities would be at the top of your list? Share your thoughts in our comments section below.

Check back every Monday to see what one of your neighbors would do if they were mayor of Attleboro for day.