This week I have several questions for KP readers.
First, I’ve gotten several comments about the need for an
“anchor” business in the central business district. What do you think an anchor business is? A supermarket? A community garden? A restored movie house? A skateboard park?
Second, how do you build “community” or get townfolk to work together in the interest of their city?
Third, what planning tools are out there to help both government and community groups devise appropriate solutions?
Link to parts 1-4.
Grocery store would be ideal, but tough
Hi PD!
I think a grocery store is one of the most ideal businesses to draw downtown, but also the toughest. Where I live there are two high-end grocery stores within a few blocks walk, and people are always gathered outside or walking down the street.
Another great business possibility would be a cafe with a coffee shop atmosphere. People would come for lunch, coffee, maybe even dinner. It would create foot traffic on 7th Ave. and encourage other businesses that’s a great place to be.
Pennsylvania really needs better planning laws to stem the tide of our dying downtowns. In addition, I’d recommend checking out a few books on (sub)urban planning from your local library. I’ve read a few, such as Suburban Nation and Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities. They give a phenomenal perspective on these issues and change the way I think about them.
The great thing
Stan,
The great thing is there already is a supermarket downtown, but it’s a block off the main drag, 7th avenue. It gets a lot of foot traffic and, more significantly, because of its better than average prices, it draws shoppers from areas directly adjacent to the city limits who don’t want to fight the traffic and red lights to go to the local Giant Eagle. These are folks who don’t normally come down to BF.
Even better, there is an entire block between 8th and 9th streets that is cleared except for a small tailor shop. If
the tailor shop would agree to move to another suitable vacant store, and there’s an vacant former dress shop right next to the library, that would open the entire block for the supermarket to relocate to a new building. I know you can get a steel building constructed at relatively low cost that would be ideal for a large grocery store. IMO, a proposal like this would make an easy write-up for a grant.
Also, we do have some coffee house type development around Geneva College, including a very neat little coffee house
in the first floor of an owner-occupied house. (http://www.beaverfallscoffeeandtea.com/)
So, not all is hopeless yet. :)
pd
Stanley is right. There is
Stanley is right. There is an immense amount of information out there which can help inform planning, zoning and development issues. It’s there for the taking. What I have found amazing, however, is that many, many muncipal officials don’t have a clue about this stuff….
With that said, one of the first things you must do is become and ‘expert” on the subject, if you intend to change minds. PA residents, particularly in this part of the state, are very set in their ways. They see tomorrow only through the lens of their personal experience and often haven’t traveled widely or read a lot or seen examples of “other ways of doing things.” It is incumbent upon you and others to help open their eyes. I think that’s actually the very first thing you have to do. But it’s a delicate balance, because they don’t really want to change…and they certainly don’t want to be preached to by some “foreigner.”
Pilt
Working on my presentation, Pilt
I’m slowly working out my presentation, Pilt. One of my relatives is involved with the local council of govts that tries to coordinate local issues and share knowledge and resources. He’s offered to help me through his BF contact in that group.
I think I will also attach my pitch here at KP so everyone who’s interested can take a look and add their comments.
pd
ps – not a “foreigner”, just a “prodigal”. :)
It ain't easy
Revitalization isn’t easy… it’s a professional onto itself.
The key anchor buildings in town are the ones that are community spaces. Theaters are great if they allow interaction. Third places are valuable b/c that’s where people gather informally to interact and socialize. But it needs to be a business. Parks are valuable, but they don’t sustain an economy (unless its a national park and there is a direct connection the local economy).
Another urban spaces link...
Here’s a link to an organization which might be helpful…
http://www.pps.org/
Pilt
Great link!
That’s a great link, pilt!
Stanley
Think it forward
Internet. Give people a place to shop, eat, drink and most importantly go on the internet for free…and you have a winner. The internet allows people the ability to work and play. The galleria in South Hills – Allegheny County, is a great example. More and more people have a laptop so as long as they can plug in, you will witness a place where people meet up for an array of reasons.
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