Dear Editor,
I just wanted to commend the city of Carmel, Mayor Jim Brainard and the people at Detour for reaching a compromise so Detour can host their July 4th party. No matter which side you were on, we can all agree that we need activity and entertainment in the district and Detour plays a huge part in that.
While many storefronts throughout the district remain vacant, Detour has embraced the area and brought droves of people, which has helped nearby businesses. I’ve heard many business owners tell me – many of whom are in direct competition with Detour – that their sales have increased since they opened.
One thing that worries me is the constant talk of making sure the area doesn’t become “another Broad Ripple.” In my opinion, Massachusetts Avenue is a better example of what the Carmel Arts & Design District could be. Mass Ave has art galleries, theaters, critically acclaimed restaurants and, yes, they also have bars that stay open late.
We all have to work together to make this area great. Personally, we’d love to see more street festivals and a return of Rock the District. I know there has been issues with street closures, vendors and the such, but it would be awesome if we could work to improve these events and fix any problems instead of just not doing them.
We are proud to be a part of the district and we just hope see more examples of cooperation like this so the area can become all it can be.
Adam Aasen
Co-owner, Donatello’s Italian Restaurant, 46032