Let's Play A Fantasy Game, 'Building Fenton'

For this game you need a controller with a strong sense of pride and imagination.  Let's get comfy, and remember, there is never just one way to play.  You can't be right and you can't be wrong.  It's just a game.

When I came to Fenton, I didn't come off Grange Hall Rd. I know, that is not expected. I bought my house without ever seeing the area of Silver Parkway. I had no idea whatsoever that anything was there, but what I really liked was the town and the row of churches. I love churches. The area surrounding them is filled with bells tolling on Sunday, friends and families gathered. A church presence says more about the community than almost anything else. If you want my opinion, a town can never have too many of them and they are nearly always beautifully tended by loving parishioners. 

Add the Police and Fire Stations, a breathtaking Mill Pond with waterfall, gazebo and green grassy areas and, it's picture perfect. I see children running and playing, sailing little boats and families sharing a picnic. I see visions of concerts and people strolling. Where?  Ok, we have to have storefronts even if they aren't all open on Sundays. Oh...and places to enjoy a meal. I really want to see street vendors.  Can you smell the food? 

Let's start the game right there everytime.  What to do next.

We live in Michigan and the weather isn't always kind. What would encourage shoppers to go door to door? Nice roomy sidewalks, with uniform awnings to keep all the people nice and tidy.  Streetcars, or a little trolley...ok....maybe not every game, but on weekends at least. On second thought, I really like the trolley...jingle jingle.  That would make everybody closer.

The French Laundry has a beautiful sidewalk cafe but, with the traffic so close to it, the fumes from cars and the general hubbub, makes eatting less than perfect.  Also, the parking situation has the ill and infirm patrons, being let off on the corner.  There is such a small vestibule area, that many times, it is passed by because it looks overcrowded.  It might not be at all, but are you going to take the trouble to circle around and park just to find out? Hum. What to do. Ahhh, a nice covered entrance and a red carpet. Ok, no carpet. 

This is a little bit unsettling, but, what if, we made Shiawassee stop and go right or left at that corner?  Yes...it could work.  We could turn that corner into a beautiful courtyard, add a lovely fountain and benches, flowers and extend the sidewalk cafe. How brilliant is that? Oh, oh...then we have to redirect traffic to the middle of town without going through it. Let's work on that later. Can we have a really nice clock?  I mean that. 

Now, you have wide sidewalks, going end to end of the town, covered to keep people comfortable and a grand destination marked by a courtyard and fountain.  See the people sitting on benches and the horseshoe effect of walking on one side of the street and then the other?  Riding the trolley. Oh, oh, where is the little jewel of a hotel that people would arrive to and stay in while enjoying the stores and restaurants? We could....build one or when a property became available, buy it and outfit it as a charming small town hotel. It has to have a delightful front porch and rocking chairs. 

Now we are going to need more stores, and possibly a movie theatre. More benches and extraordinary lighting.  That courtyard would be magnificent with a huge Christmas tree. I can see it all now, and it really does glitter...ok...add small white lights on the tree lined courtyard. Lovely. 

Now, wasn't that so much fun? 

You try. 

What would you change and how exactly would you do it?