*Some readers saw this question yesterday. It's been previously noted that NAC readership and response is a bit lower on weekends and Sunday was no exception. Perhaps it was an editorial error on my part to introduce such a central question on a day off but I found it somewhat strange that, when asked what they envision for downtown, none of the 90 readers yesterday responded with any desired outcomes.
I'll leave the original question for the remainder of the day in the hopes of spurring a response -- or at least a suggestion of how to better pose the question. If we can't say what we want, how can we work toward it? Or is not knowing what we want a part of the problem?
One of the learning opportunities mentioned in a previous post was a discussion of using the Wikipedia concept of crowdsourcing to develop a collaborative vision of downtown redevelopment.
Typically, developers construct buildings then market it via realtors without any public input, and it shows - the downtown isn't very attractive to younger people. The “crowdsourcing” model looks to establish a 'beta community' of future downtown residents, and allow them to direct investors and developers to build exactly what they want, where they want it, at the price they can afford.
With Scribner Place a step closer to reality, what other businesses or living arrangements would maximize downtown's attractiveness?
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6 comments:
Ceece,
Thanks for the reply. I agree with much of what you said but I guess I'm looking for specifics. What kind of restaurants? What do the shops sell? What services do the businesses provide? What is cutting edge?
It's difficult to concretely define what's largely an abstract concept, an attitude. It's also entirely possible that every storefront downtown could fill up and not contribute to a place I'd want to live. Obviously, though, my preferences aren't the only ones that matter.
Is there a shared vision of what downtown should be and, if so, what does it look like?
I'll be specific, and heck, I'll pick a building even :P
What I would love to see is the equivalent of an ear X-tacy in downtown New Albany, and I’d throw it in the big blue old appliance shop there on the corner of State and Elm. For any potential naysayer stating that it wouldn’t have adequate parking, heck, neither does ear X-tacy.
All I know is that when my tried and true favorites release a new album, I’m usually forced to go to ear X-tacy because they will actually carry it (Best Buy will list it on their website, but they will always say Not Available for In store Pickup). Not even just music, but also movies (see previous note about Best Buy).
I know Brandon will back me up on this (if he still reads the blogs), but I need a place to satisfy my LP cravings as well.
So, that’s my pick, an ear X-tacy in the appliance shop, throw music on one floor, movies on the next, and for the third, why not merchandise (shirts and what have you).
If I had the capital to toss around, I’d be there tomorrow opening the doors (and I know a few friends who would be chomping at the bit to work there :)
In order to encourage that activity with limited resources, don't we have to prioritize a bit? Corydon and Frankfort Avenue are very different as Ceece mentioned. Marketing to attract either demographic probably woudn't attract the other.
It doesn't have to be a totally inflexible choice, but it seeems like choosing between the two (or others) may help concentrate redevelopment efforts. I think one of the reasons efforts like Da Vinci Downtown have failed is because of a lack of focus.
A Frankfort Avenue model would suit my preferences much better. A Corydon model leaves me with little interest in downtown that's not already there and, in some ways, would defeat the purpose of living downtown as I'd still have to drive elsewhere to indulge most of my interests.
One thing I've noticed through conversations with people about downtown revitalization is that it's not uncommon to go through an entire series of meetings or activities with someone only to realize deep into the process that what they're trying to create is very different than the vision that I have. That's not to suggest that one is right and the other is wrong but it probably means we inadvertently end up working against each other at times.
How do we correct that?
I really hate to be this cynical...
The dysfunctional city government has to be fixed before individuals and/or groups will be able to affect much of anything towards revitalizing downtown, much less any coherent plan(s).
We are too far, IMHO, from even beginning to "vote" for a Frankfort Ave vs. a Corydon. Walmart vs. Dillards. Bud vs Hoptimus. Crocheted hanging baskets vs. Rembrandts.
We need to get more local people to just visit downtown. Why? I believe it helps lead to a sense of community ownership, if you will. About a month ago my wife and I were going to La Rosita for lunch. As we were driving through downtown my wife remarked since we have been going to the La Rositas, Federal Hill, Bristo New Albany, that she really feels much more like a part of New Albany. Folks, we have lived here for over 27 years. We don't live downtown but we care so much more about New Albany because we now GO DOWNTOWN. A downtown is the heart of any of city.
Scribner/YMCA will draw some more locals. Hopefully that will draw more businesses. What kind of business? Who knows, but just about anything would be better than what is not there now. Much of downtown is empty and FILTHY. Which brings me a long way around to my point.
The officials who commit to cleaning up, code enforcement, etc will get my support. We will soon(hopefully) have Scribner/YMCA. We already have some fine resturants and other new businesses. We need to shine up the "silver" to keep people coming back. Then we can try to fashion what direction we need to go.
I really apologize for the rambling and length of this comment.
I think our best hope for the forseeable future is to keep supporting those entrepreneurs who have taken a chance on downtown over the last couple of years and to try however we may to draw more like them into our midst.
I prefer unique over cookie cutter be it a coffee shop, entertainment facility, eatery, or whatever.
The millstone around our neck is that we are going to have to find uniquie ways of attracting such as we can expect no help form local government in doing so.
We had a dream with the Mosier Tanner Al Goodman bought. We dreamed of a Glassworks building, like exists in Louisville, being built down there, along with a museum, boat ramp at the old 18th St Dump (what else can we use it for), etc., and tie in with the Greenway.
Al Goodman now has the property up for sale. Seems downtown and other people to be didn't appreciate his or our dreams and couldn't help when the time came to it. I'd rather have invested in Al's place than the Y and Scribner; circumventing our constitutional debt limit; taking away citizens' right to remonstrate; and taxpayers paying for a non-profit (which was suppose to arrange their own financing).
We dreamed -- Al spent a lot of money -- you tell us how we draw the investments in with the town in such disarray. The Street Department is in the hole; the sewers (infrastructure) still doesn't work; the streets are caving in all over town; the local government is making business jump through so many hurdles -- I'm not sure how to unblock the "blockade". Thanks for asking our opinions.
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