Creating neighborhoods of choice- four words that have become synonymous with revitalization.
Choice implies just what it says: the act of determining one alternative more valuable than another. Something isn’t valuable until someone wants it and, in the sense of commodification, is willing to pay for it. To be sure, neighborhoods and their accompanying lifestyles are a commodity just as much as gasoline, candy bars, and toothpaste.
The question for those interested in revitalization, then, is what causes someone to perceive value in a neighborhood?
Some of us have already chosen to invest in New Albany’s urban neighborhoods. What are your perceptions of where you currently live or do business? As you traverse its thoroughfares, what sense of place pervades your experience?
Perhaps more importantly, what does the broader market perceive when encountering urban New Albany in its current condition? Is it revitalizing or declining at first glance? Does it inspire sufficient confidence to justify investment?
If residents and potential residents don’t see the same thing, what can be done about it?
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Looking critically at New Albany, from a perspective spanning my entire life, I see the city moving in the right direction, but too slowly.
I see more residents moving not only into urban residential areas, but into downtown itself, which means they will want services and businesses nearby--restaurants, groceries, etc.
I also see more specialty services and businesses, which is good--antique shops, a place to take music lessons, stained glass classes, that sort of thing.
New Albany is marketable and it is being marketed, but I don't see it being marketed as heavily by the elected officials as it is by private individuals. Just look who's really out there, coming up with ways to attract business and investment, creating web sites, blogs and other tools to convey New Albany's value to others.
For example, the Historic New Albany Real Estate web site, by Historic Landmarks Foundation. And all the work by East Spring Street Assn. people, plus all the other neighborhood associations. Thank heavens for Mike Kopp, who's made it his personal mission to sell downtown New Albany real estate.
If we could get all the people we pay to work for us to work as hard as the ones who aren't getting paid, I think we'd really have something.
Indeed Annie. Also, as a "newcomer" who's toyed with the idea of investmenting more downtown, I can say for myself, the trash everywhere is a major bummer. But not as much as the human trash everywhere by which I mean the folks who seem to be in a race to the bottom of the social scale like my drug dealer neighbors. If you can witness criminal activity daily here, with the trashed streets...well, it looks bad, it feels bad, and who would want to invest in a town that seems lawless?
This might be a little bit off topic anyone know a good wood worker that has experience fixing exterior wood of old houses?
But I agree. The trash across the street has gotten 100000000 times better, I also noticed a For Sale By Owner sign in my neighbors window. WOOOHOOO no more motorcycle business.
Sorry bluegill, this is also off topic.
Vicky, I am going to post this event on New Albany Source (http://www.newalbanysource.com). If you ever have anything else you want promoted on the site, email me @ info@newalbanysource.com.
If Paul Volmer wants to send me his information, I can list him as well.
Kevin, if you use his service (and he wants to be listed), you can leave a review about his work on the site too. The idea is to promote local businesses and community activities.
I perceive value in downtown New Albany, because of the sense of community that is developing. Through third spaces (Destinations, La Rosita), neighborhood conversations (associations, forums, teach-ins), and resources (New Direction's Housing, Develop New Albany), we are learning what assets already exist in the city. We have persistent/passionate individuals (that do not always agree). We have incredible housing stock that is varied enough that a mixed community is possible - varying socioeconomic standing and lifestyles can find sustainable/affordable housing. I know my neighbors. When I go to restaurants, I know who cooks my food -heck they know me. I feel connected.
I am eager to attend the classes at New Directions next Thursday, because they will address these questions. Residents and potential residents do not see the city in the same way. If we want that to happen, we need to advertise. We will not get very far if we only speak poorly of our community in public. If we are going to run an article in the paper about a neighborhood issue, we should try to focus on positive action. I do not imply that we should not use the paper as a watch-dog for our community, but we must remember that we are advertising our community. No one wants to move into a neighborhood when all that they read in the paper is that it is cruddy (bad sewers, crime, garbage covered). It is important to cover those things, but we need to bring attention to the good as well (new business, local initiatives, community involvement).
I also feel that we need to try to get more people involved. There are many people in the downtown area, but you see very few on the street. We need to get out and include other people in this action. I know that we have tried, but we need to keep trying. If we do this, we will have a better representation of our community and more voices.
In my eyes my home is worth a million dollars or more, reality says about $92K.
Our neighborhood started really going downhill but we were able to start a neighborhood association, and are keeping the pressure up on the slum lords to make sure they retain accountability for not only the state of the properties they own, but the state of the tenants they rent to.
We enjoyed almost two years of continuous improvement, but it would appear much like every thing in NA, this is proving to be cyclical. There has been an increase in "dirty" tenants as of late, but the letters and phone calls to land lords have begun all ready.
I hope this does not come across to too harsh, but in a few instances, the land lords gave up and sold the houses. Younger couples have bought them and are fixing them up.
Any area can b improved, but it has to start with one or two houses, one flower bed, or fresh coat of paint at a time.
OK, let's be brutally harsh. The first thing you notice when you move here are the large population of downwardly mobile persons. But wait - I remember those people were here when I was a kid too. So what gives? Is New Albany some white trash mecca? How does EVERY block have social degenerates so obviously reveling in all their "dirty" glory? I'm still dumbfounded we want to go over and take democracy to Iraq went there are so many Americans who wouldn't know how to define democracy to save their lives?
Off Topic:
Most probably know that Highwayman had major surgery on Tuesday. I saw him last night and he wanted to pass along a big "HELLO".
He looks pretty good(for Lloyd). He is in some pain but dealing with it. They had him up "walking" for about 3 minutes shortly before I got there. He will remain at Jewish hospital for several more days. The surgeon told him that the visual inspection looked good but, of course, they need to see the lab results.
As of last night, there was a sign on his door saying no live flowers, in case anyone was thinking of sending some.
Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Mark
I had no idea about his surgery. Thanks for passing this along. IAMHOOSIER can you email me his room number.
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