Urban Planning gone wrong

[m00n.livejournal.com]

While we are on the topic of community development, does anyone have an explanation for there now being a third convenience store in Teele Square within view of the other two?



Beyond the fact that I don't feel like these stores contribute much (if anything) to the community, I'm kind of wondering how it is that this neighborhood can even support three of them (four if you count the Indian market down the street that sells pretty much all the same stuff).

I don't mean to be such a community troll about these things, but I live in that neighborhood and it is starting to get a little depressing...

Comments

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it saves some number of people from having to cross a street.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

And THANK GOD FOR THAT! ;-)

How to foster diverse businesses?

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

This ties directly into some thoughts that I was having regarding Davis Square and what will be quite a bit of retail development if 337 and Dilboy and a hotel get built. I also heard that the Rite Aid building is for sale, which could end up being a hotel but perhaps something else. There are the same pressures in Teele and someone just told me about the Powderhouse School and how big a project that could be.

To be honest, as much as I love the current mix of businesses, how many coffee shops, burrito joints, pubs and tony restaurants (and convenience stores)do we need ? Since we were recently on the topic of parking, traffic and high density housing, we are really trying to figure out how sustainable,attractive,urban,pedestrian friendly neighborhoods can be developed and sustained. How do we foster the establishment and success of businesses that actually provide for some more day to day needs as opposed to simply being ways to spend disposable income?

The current city model, and I am only now trying to educate myself, seems to be to let the developer build it or landlord rent it and then just see who moves in. I'm not sure they really care who pays the tax bills, if the patrons are residents or visitors, and if the business contributes or detracts from the current livability of the district. It seems as if any successful business is a good one in their mind.

People vote with their dollars and those businesses that don't respond to the community will not survive. But then again, what community should be best served? Residents or folks from "away".

So perhaps things like building certain sized retail spaces, offering small business loans/grants, changing zoning to promote certain businesses,etc. I don't know as I have no background in this just a deep curiosity and vested interest, being a currently happy (if concerned) local resident and property owner.

Chuck

How to foster diverse businesses that cater to healthy needs...

[turil.livejournal.com]

You could ask for businesses and organizations to offer something that fits into the following:

Products and services to help keep people warm.
Products and services to help people breathe clean air.
Products and services to help people have clean water to drink.
Products and services to help people have healthy food to eat.

Products and services that give people a way to disperse their extra: warmth, gasses, liquids, and solids.

[veda815.livejournal.com]

That model certainly works for dunkin' donuts. How many neighborhoods in MA have we seen with two Dunks - one across the street from the other? And they still always have lines out the door in the a.m.

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

That's because anyone who has ever tried to take a left into or out of a Dunkin Donuts knows what a HUGE pain in the ass it is.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

well yes, but tons of people want coffee in the morning, and tons of people like dunkin donuts.

i don't see everyone lining up for beef jerky and cigarettes.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

OTOH, if the convenience stores sell lottery tickets....

[ron_newman]

But unless each one sells different kinds of lottery tickets, that doesn't really show a market need for three of them.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i'm sure they do, but that doesn't usually lead to lines out the door ;)

but then again, having the option to go elsewhere rather than be stuck behind that person -
i'll have three of those one dollar ones, and...a couple of those green ones over there...five quick picks...and...what's that one with the alligator on it? no no, the one to the right, no, the other one, yeah, let me have one of those and, um...

*shoots self in face*

[ron_newman]

Yeah, really annoying when all I want to do is buy a Coke or a wrapped-up sandwich. At least I don't have to buy my monthly T passes at Store 18 anymore...

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Haha, talk about the olden days!

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

yup, i was at a gas station the other night just waiting to fork over the $10 for gas, and the woman in front of me was literally dancing around after having won a few bucks, and then taking FOR. EVER. to use the money to buy...more lottery tickets.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Maybe subconsciously the reason I want there to be fewer convenience stores in my neighborhood is so that I can pretend that people like that don't really exist.