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Final Report March 1997 protect the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Although even defining a "wetlands" is controversial, it is estimated that over the past 20 years more than half of the wetlands in Texas have been lost due to development. The goal of the Wetlands Project is to transform Aquarena into a multi-purpose environmental education and research center. To serve its educational function, Williamson and Howard have proposed the construction of a boardwalk and nature trail. The boardwalk will have kiosks, bird-viewing platforms and wildlife habitat structures while the boardwalk will be integrated with a nature trail system which will be connected to our city's river-trail system. This project could be a fine draw for visitors while at the same time serving to improve the upper San Marcos River through erosion control, storm drainage management, and water quality improvement. The city, SWT and the CVB should be encouraged to work in partnership to enhance the viability, the visibility and the accessibility of this on-going project. Downtown As residents, we may not think of our own downtown as a tourist attraction. Rather, many think of it as an area that they are trying to get through as quickly as possible. Yet, people throughout the country are turning back to downtowns, in their search for a different experience at unique stores. People are spending less time in shopping malls today: three and a half hours a month in 1990, down to two hours a month in 1995. In 1994, only four new regional malls were opened, down from the twenty-seven in 1989 (Lagerfield, 1995 : 112). This is not to say that the malls are disappearing or are unimportant. (Our outlet malls are still experiencing traffic growth due to store additions). The new reality is that a variety of retail experiences helps lure people and can make a location a destination. Robert Grubbs is a nationally known retail consultant who counsels towns and small cities on how to improve downtowns economically. Mr. Grubbs' message is clear. The downtown is a commercial area. If commerce is nourished, shoppers will come. Dirty streets and sidewalks, grimy and unkept, is a turn-off for shoppers, as is a perceived lack of safety. Solution: Ensure a visible police presence, encourage lingering, and keep streets and sidewalks clean (Lagerfield, 1995 : 114, 116). The development of "ambiance" tourism necessitates regular litter control and trash pick- up, police patrols and consistent code enforcement in our downtown. These are actions that our city government should already be taking because of the City Charter, city ordinances and a general commitment to the welfare of our community. If the city is not willing to provide these basic services to our downtown (for which taxes are already being paid), then it should not pretend that it is interested in the well-being of our downtown, the growth of tourism and the general welfare of our community. Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Tourism Development Page 11