Downtown Beautification in the Works?
This Press Telegram article (warning, may load slowly, PT website is sluggish) seems a little sketchy on the details, but it sounds like there's some kind of volunteer attempt to beautify downtown in the works.
Initial phases of the beautification effort already have identified some priorities, such as providing locks for trash bins, improving the look of vacant storefronts and removing the bulky, rectangular planters that were installed on downtown sidewalks some 20 years ago.
"Improving the look of vacant storefronts" - You know what would really improve the look of vacant storefronts? Businesses. Businesses with open hours. I owned one down on 7th for four years - On my side of the street there were maybe five businesses, including mine, with anything resembling operating hours. Unless they're going to create an atmosphere where businesses can survive, which I don't see happening, what's the point?
Curbed LA chimes in, in it's ever endearing and always snide manner, about the article, and while I think they're a bunch of ignorant, know-nothing real estate hillbillies, they aren't much off the mark by describing this one as "putting lipstick on a pig". The only thing that can save downtown from itself is new businesses, and a sustainable effort to market those businesses to the public. I've seen businesses open and close in the same month, I've seen a half dozen "art galleries" come and go (usually takes 6 months) in the past few years. Hell, even my old neighbors' methamphetamine factory/storefront went under.
Initial phases of the beautification effort already have identified some priorities, such as providing locks for trash bins, improving the look of vacant storefronts and removing the bulky, rectangular planters that were installed on downtown sidewalks some 20 years ago.
"Improving the look of vacant storefronts" - You know what would really improve the look of vacant storefronts? Businesses. Businesses with open hours. I owned one down on 7th for four years - On my side of the street there were maybe five businesses, including mine, with anything resembling operating hours. Unless they're going to create an atmosphere where businesses can survive, which I don't see happening, what's the point?
Curbed LA chimes in, in it's ever endearing and always snide manner, about the article, and while I think they're a bunch of ignorant, know-nothing real estate hillbillies, they aren't much off the mark by describing this one as "putting lipstick on a pig". The only thing that can save downtown from itself is new businesses, and a sustainable effort to market those businesses to the public. I've seen businesses open and close in the same month, I've seen a half dozen "art galleries" come and go (usually takes 6 months) in the past few years. Hell, even my old neighbors' methamphetamine factory/storefront went under.
Labels: Downtown
5 Comments:
You're right about legitimate business activity being the key. But I can't get past the framing of this story, that residents need to volunteer their time to make the city look good for the people who are buying into the new developments. What the hell is that? What about the people who have lived and/or worked there for years? Are they not worth the effort? All in all, this story projects a very twisted self-image.
Garrison, that's exactly what I was going to say and I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed it. Yes, San Pedrans, you must mobilize your high school students to make nice art for the yuppies! It's not like you yourselves ever deserved it!
Incredibly offensive, and unfortunately not surprising at all in this current atmosphere.
It's one of the weirdest stories I've ever read about San Pedro, something about it just seems so half baked.
As a Yuppy I would like the high school students for the fine art work. Thanks sincerely for contributing to my appreciation of you city.
"You're not invited to the party, but we'll let you help us decorate." That's it in a nutshell, isn't it?
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