Yep, it's closing after the summer of 2007 to undergo a massive redevelopment project.
http://www.nysun.com/article/43372
And another Brooklyn project:
http://www.brooklynspeaks.net/slideshow.html
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Places in the US you would like to see revived
- Thread starter leekohler
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Yep, it's closing after the summer of 2007 to undergo a massive redevelopment project.
http://www.nysun.com/article/43372
And another Brooklyn project:
http://www.brooklynspeaks.net/slideshow.html
funny you mention asbury park. my grandpa was the editor of their paper until gannett bought. argh, coming from a long line of newspapermen, i've been programed to hate the gannett company with all of my heart.
To put in a local plug, my fair city of Hartford is in a bad way. Well, not as a bad a way as ten years ago, but the poverty -- and the money -- that holds the city together is pretty horrid.
Sandwiched between New York and Boston, Hartford doesn't have much of a chance. But it's got a pretty thick literary and colonial hertiage and the potential for a pretty great arts scene. Was the center of the US avant-garde arts world for a couple of years -- then MOMA happened.
Sandwiched between New York and Boston, Hartford doesn't have much of a chance. But it's got a pretty thick literary and colonial hertiage and the potential for a pretty great arts scene. Was the center of the US avant-garde arts world for a couple of years -- then MOMA happened.
I'd probably say most rust belt cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Pittsburgh etc. I was in Buffalo a few years ago and it was really nice, it has some great looking houses... definately has some scary areas though.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
ZING!
I was going to say the entire country, but yours was much funnier.
Oh come on- this isn't supposed to go to the political forum.
I still think there is so much here in this country we have not tapped. With the influx of people back to the cities, I think we are ripe for an artistic and architectural renewal here in the US. It can happen if we demand it.
Ya, it seems like a lot of areas of San Diego are undergoing changes. Old Town and Downtown (with the addition of Petco Park) come to my mind.
I know what you're getting at Lee. We've seen a similar urban regeneration happen over here in the UK. The centres of Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle were virtually dead 10 years ago, yet now with canal-side developments and warehouse conversions young people have moved back in, the bars and restaurants have followed and now the places are buzzing. Even Birmingham and London, the two biggest cities in the UK, have seen their city centres undergo major renovation. As a result, we're seeing arts centres, concert halls and theatres opening all over the place. Obviously the UK puts a massive emphasis on cultural events anyway, seeing as it's pretty much the only thing we're consistently good at, but if we can see such a huge change I can't see why you can't replicate it over there.Oh come on- this isn't supposed to go to the political forum.
I agree. We here in the States have always competed with you all in British Isles culturally and musically. I think you guys have the leg up though, what with Paul Weller and all. Our answer to him used to be Lou Reed, but he sucks now, dammit.
Weller just gets better. WTF?
So you agree that the US needs revival.
Me too. Cities tend to go through cycles of ups and downs. Toronto seems to be going through a sort of "revival" since the year 2000. This wasn't the case 10 years ago. The entire waterfront was a dump, and this is prime property we're talking about!
So you agree that the US needs revival.
Me too. Cities tend to go through cycles of ups and downs. Toronto seems to be going through a sort of "revival" since the year 2000. This wasn't the case 10 years ago. The entire waterfront was a dump, and this is prime property we're talking about!
The US needs it's collective a** kicked in this respect. But unfortunately, the dollar rules here, not what's good for the community.
But surely they can see from the experience of cities that have done it how much money can be made from building facilities back in town. Property prices go through the roof for starters.
I hae seen so many small towns where the downtown area is falling apart. Downtown areas are competing against the Big Box Store out on the edge of town. Worse parking (I might have to -gasp- walk!), higher prices, and I have to go to four different places to get everything. I sat on a Plan Commission for a few years. It was amazing to hear people say what amounts to "If I can't park right in front, I won't go there."
Add that to that some of the historic perservation laws. People just can't afford to restore a building to the specs set out by some local governments. It's a nobel tought, but not economically feasible. Not all communities are like this, but a few in my area are. There is a whole row of big old houses in South Bend, Indiana that are for sale because the historic preservation folks tell the owners what they can and can't do with the house (what color, what kind of windows, you have to use plaster, not drywall). A lot of the owners are bowing out. They just can't afford to keep up the houses.
Add that to that some of the historic perservation laws. People just can't afford to restore a building to the specs set out by some local governments. It's a nobel tought, but not economically feasible. Not all communities are like this, but a few in my area are. There is a whole row of big old houses in South Bend, Indiana that are for sale because the historic preservation folks tell the owners what they can and can't do with the house (what color, what kind of windows, you have to use plaster, not drywall). A lot of the owners are bowing out. They just can't afford to keep up the houses.
Detriot obviously needs major help, not to mention Camden, St. Louis, and Chester, PA. How did places like New York and Cleveland make such a dramatic turnaround?
I drove through Memphis yesterday, and while I've heard good things about Beale street, the rest of the city looked like a dump to me.
To any memphissians (or whatever you call yoursleves), Please feel free to correct me, as I'm basing my opinion on the Slums, Factories, and Oil Refinery I saw from I-55.
To any memphissians (or whatever you call yoursleves), Please feel free to correct me, as I'm basing my opinion on the Slums, Factories, and Oil Refinery I saw from I-55.
Parts of upstate and west/central new york...capital district through Buffalo could really use some cleanup. There are many places in there that were once really awesome but were abandoned or people stopped caring for them as industry moved westward. Lots of history in there, along the Erie canal and the like.
Watertown, for example, was once and could be a really cool little city-scene but needs a lot of help.
Watertown, for example, was once and could be a really cool little city-scene but needs a lot of help.
Am I really the first person to say New Orleans or did I miss it?
Edit: Nevermind. Bousozoku pointed it out already.
Edit: Nevermind. Bousozoku pointed it out already.
NOLA doesn't need to be revived, it needs to be repaired. The city is as vibrant as ever (per capita, i guess) but people can't come back until they have homes besides FEMA trailers again.
I'll say Charlotte, NC. Mostly because it has absolutely no identity or charm, is horribly unfriendly to pedestrians, and it lacks any serious culture. Sure we've got some half-baked science museum geared towards children and the Mint Museum of Art. The Mint is an awesome building, but for an art museum, their collection sucks. I can only look at so much Carolinian pottery.
Walk? Why the hell would you want to do that? You've got a car that works just fine! The city has communities in the heart of town with no sidewalks (I live in one) and they budget $5mil per year which builds approximately 10 miles of sidewalk per year. 1800 miles to go, so only 180 more years.
Also wasted public works railroaded (no pun intended) through. Built a brand new and very nice arena in Uptown despite the taxpayers voting against it. Light rail is being installed right now and it is over budget and no one seems to be planning on using it anyways.
Walk? Why the hell would you want to do that? You've got a car that works just fine! The city has communities in the heart of town with no sidewalks (I live in one) and they budget $5mil per year which builds approximately 10 miles of sidewalk per year. 1800 miles to go, so only 180 more years.
Also wasted public works railroaded (no pun intended) through. Built a brand new and very nice arena in Uptown despite the taxpayers voting against it. Light rail is being installed right now and it is over budget and no one seems to be planning on using it anyways.
I noticed people here in Central Floriduh are against sidewalks and public transportation or progress of any kind. Even when they widen roads, they forget that some people use wheelchairs. They widened the state road adjacent to my housing development but for a long strip on one side, they didn't put any sidewalks. How do you navigate mud and grass in a wheelchair? How do you get around a light pole in the middle of the sidewalk?
i would say New Haven, CT and Detroit, MI. both are cities where i am looking at grad schools and i would prefer they were not total dumps while i was there
i live in/near Providence, RI and it had a huge turnaround over the past 15 or so years - its now a really nice little city. other cities could take a lesson from providence.
i live in/near Providence, RI and it had a huge turnaround over the past 15 or so years - its now a really nice little city. other cities could take a lesson from providence.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
That's fanny. I think that place would be beyond hope of revival. It would be a major black hole money pit.... It sucks in all the money.....
Saltair is still being used for concerts. My brothers saw The Killers I believe it was very recently. They said it's not in very good shape though. I'd like to see it really brought back (again) but kind of doubt it will happen...