When I worked at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens back in the 1980s I went to a conference with the Director of the Chamber of Commerce. We were trying to find ways to bring group tours to the Mendocino Coast. We were surprised to discover that we didn't have enough attractions to keep tour groups here for two nights, which was essential for them to make the stop worthwhile. They would visit the Botanical Gardens, attend the Footlighters Theater performance, spend one night in Fort Bragg and then ride the Skunk Train to Willits, where their bus would pick them up.
The other thing we lacked was year-round tourism. We did not have enough events or attractions during the off season to support local businesses. Mendocino Village was the only place where lodging acheived the necessary 70 percent year-round occupancy rate.
I think the obvious solution is for the former GP property to become Noyo Headlands State Park. The level of soil contamination makes it impractical for any use but open space. And even if the property could be cleaned up, any housing built there would not be affordable, and would likely become second homes and vacation rentals. No signifiant industry is going to come to Fort Bragg because of our remote location, lack of workforce housing and lack of economic diversity.
The other obvious solution is to build a performing arts center near the Fort Bragg side of Noyo Headlands State Park with massive windows facing the State Park and the Pacific Ocean. This could host year-round events such as jazz concerts and Shakespeare festivals, and it could become the permanent home of the Mendocino Music Festival. Peforming arts centers within public parks and open spaces are common throughout the world. And former industrial sites throughout the world with river, lake and ocean frontage are almost always converted to large public open spaces.
We have reached the point where our remaining trees are more valuable as part of a healthy ecosystem than they ever were as timber. Our visitors at the Botanical Gardens constantly reminded us that we have world class hiking and biking trails, ocean views and natural habitats. Organizations like the Mendocino Land Trust are working to make these places open to the public.
I would like to see the DMO's track record in other cities. The idea of anchoring success to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) growth seems like a great idea. The town is really working to bring fantastic events and lots of live music to our little coastal town, but the natural beauty and hiking/biking trails seems to be missed to a certain extent in promotional activity.
After working in hospitality at a 5-star resort in Tahoe, I can say confidently that DMOs are the reason South Lake Tahoe is what it is today. The town was redesigned FOR TOURISM, which means locals lose their town as they know it. If it's redesigned for tourists, locals are secondary. The character DMOs want is a façade. As long as Mendo knows that going in, and is willing to consciously make that sacrifice, a DMO can deliver better tourism for sure. There is a cost way bigger than $, tho. Just ask anyone who's lived in Tahoe for over 20 years
When I worked at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens back in the 1980s I went to a conference with the Director of the Chamber of Commerce. We were trying to find ways to bring group tours to the Mendocino Coast. We were surprised to discover that we didn't have enough attractions to keep tour groups here for two nights, which was essential for them to make the stop worthwhile. They would visit the Botanical Gardens, attend the Footlighters Theater performance, spend one night in Fort Bragg and then ride the Skunk Train to Willits, where their bus would pick them up.
The other thing we lacked was year-round tourism. We did not have enough events or attractions during the off season to support local businesses. Mendocino Village was the only place where lodging acheived the necessary 70 percent year-round occupancy rate.
I think the obvious solution is for the former GP property to become Noyo Headlands State Park. The level of soil contamination makes it impractical for any use but open space. And even if the property could be cleaned up, any housing built there would not be affordable, and would likely become second homes and vacation rentals. No signifiant industry is going to come to Fort Bragg because of our remote location, lack of workforce housing and lack of economic diversity.
The other obvious solution is to build a performing arts center near the Fort Bragg side of Noyo Headlands State Park with massive windows facing the State Park and the Pacific Ocean. This could host year-round events such as jazz concerts and Shakespeare festivals, and it could become the permanent home of the Mendocino Music Festival. Peforming arts centers within public parks and open spaces are common throughout the world. And former industrial sites throughout the world with river, lake and ocean frontage are almost always converted to large public open spaces.
We have reached the point where our remaining trees are more valuable as part of a healthy ecosystem than they ever were as timber. Our visitors at the Botanical Gardens constantly reminded us that we have world class hiking and biking trails, ocean views and natural habitats. Organizations like the Mendocino Land Trust are working to make these places open to the public.
I would like to see the DMO's track record in other cities. The idea of anchoring success to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) growth seems like a great idea. The town is really working to bring fantastic events and lots of live music to our little coastal town, but the natural beauty and hiking/biking trails seems to be missed to a certain extent in promotional activity.
After working in hospitality at a 5-star resort in Tahoe, I can say confidently that DMOs are the reason South Lake Tahoe is what it is today. The town was redesigned FOR TOURISM, which means locals lose their town as they know it. If it's redesigned for tourists, locals are secondary. The character DMOs want is a façade. As long as Mendo knows that going in, and is willing to consciously make that sacrifice, a DMO can deliver better tourism for sure. There is a cost way bigger than $, tho. Just ask anyone who's lived in Tahoe for over 20 years