Winter 2005: New Visions for Downtown New Albany
I'm creating this thread to facilitate comments for Destinations Booksellers' quarterly Public Affairs Seminar, tentatively scheduled for March 2, 2005. We will assemble a panel of local residents to discuss new visions for the future of downtown New Albany.
Over the next two months, I invite you to post your questions and comments to be raised at this moderated discussion.
To get the discussion off the ground, here is a topical question:
What, if anything, should be done by our public officials to rejuvenate the downtown district?
Over the next two months, I invite you to post your questions and comments to be raised at this moderated discussion.
To get the discussion off the ground, here is a topical question:
What, if anything, should be done by our public officials to rejuvenate the downtown district?
posted by All4Word at 4:46 AM
7 Comments:
As stated a few years back in a letter to the editor of the 'Bune from me, if the downtown area cannot be used then send in the bulldozers and dump trucks, raize the buildings from East 5th to State, Main to Spring and put a park in that all of us can enjoy. It will make up for the park that was taken away from the downtown area when the Sherman Minton/I-64 approach took the park at Layfette St(look at Bofter's map on your wall)and will really make our City a show place.
You asked, that is my opinion like it or not.
So, this idea comes to me this morning while listening to Morning Edition. Our leaders are trying to figure out what to do with those insurgents and terrorists who are simply too dangerous to let go but are likewise too dangerous to hold trials for.
New Albany is trying to fill its empty offices, warehouses, and retail spaces.
One local micro-brew aficionado and his cohort are seeking to add to the ethnic mix of the town, or at least the city's tolerance for ethnic tastes and culture in an effort to jump-start the economy in a more creative direction.
Let's start an effort to bring Guantanamo north and be the host for these long-term internees, what say?
Since the topic of internment has been broached, I'd suggest re-education camps for wayward real estate professionals.
My wife and I have been looking for residential property in the area lately and have spoken to several realtors and property owners. We're interested in both historic homes and/or the possibility of loft style live/work space. Save the local bookseller and neighborhood association, nary a soul has mentioned the possibility of further local development, the containment of urban sprawl, historic preservation, or the benefits of living in a diverse, walkable community. I've ended up doing more of a sales pitch than the people trying to sell me property, often getting incredulous looks and "well, maybe" in response.
Commercial property seems to be no better. Having lived in Denver as a member of the creative class and survived a portion of that city's momentous population growth, I can tell you that dropped ceilings and Berber carpet aren't what those folks are looking for. I worked for an internet company in a former warehouse with brick walls, high ceilings and the original wood floors. It was simply one big room and we required no remodeling other than updated electric and HVAC systems and a couple of restrooms.
Even a casual perusal of other successful economic revitalizations via "weirdness" throughout the past 50 years shows that it's the big, raw, multi-function spaces that appeal to creatives, not having somebody else's gelded idea of "attractive" forced upon them.
Most commercial property speculators in NA seem to be focused on spending a great a deal of money and effort on the ruination of those qualities. The result is that the property owner ends up with a huge investment in something that they've actively made less attractive to the very demographic most likely to be interested in the space. Why would a young company want to buy a building only to turn around and spend a third of the purchase price again to un-renovate it?
The point is that Garner and his bunch, as sad as they are, are merely representative of the general prevailing attitude. Government is a symptom, not the disease. When the real estate pros and government officials with the largest economic interest in downtown development live in bland suburban McMansions and shop at Wal-Mart, I don't think it wise to expect them to articulate or enthusiastically support a progressive plan for the area. They clearly don't get it. It's the equivalent of voting for a Republican or Democrat and expecting radical change.
You can bet, though, after others- such as the few commendable souls who organize, blog, and otherwise educate the ignorant and shame the stupid out of concern for the downtown area- do the dirty work, they'll swoop like the opportunistic vultures they are and claim as much profit and credit as possible.
When that day comes, and I believe it will, I just hope I live close enough to walk to the picket line at Starbucks.
With the recent debacle of the failed Garner administration and the hellabuloo of the Overtin reign, it would appear to me that it is time for a neutral party to run the City of New Albany. Asses and elephants alike are so unhappy with our local government leadership, this to me seems to be the avenue we need to look at.
Keep your eyes on the Courier-Journal, where Dale Moss is writing a column about (among other things) NA Confidential.
Bluegill has it right, but the point to me at present is that those identified as relevant, i.e., who are trying to educate and bring these issues above baord, must know one another. Randy's quarterly forum is an excellent opportunity for this ... but damn, March 2 is a long way off - not sure my liver will hold out until then.
A group is trying to re-form a downtown merchants association and will meet this Friday at the White House. I don't even know whether I'll be able to be there (probably not) and their goals may or may not be compatible with the larger agenda, but I thought folks would want to know.
If you are now, or wish to someday be, a part of the downtown renaissance, be there at 9 a.m. on Friday.
Why another furniture store to replace Smith's? With the DNA group going forward with trying to lure the County Gov to place it offices in downtown, why would there be in question of another furniture store? How about retail/food/coffee space on the first floor and the County Gov offices on the remaining upper floors?
Post a Comment
<< Home