posted by Mike Madison at 10:03 PM /
Should the Municipality of Mt. Lebanon take an active role in promoting development by businesses and stores that fit an "upscale" image and discouraging development by businesses and stores that don't?
Big cities in this country compete for scarce development proposals. Downtown Pittsburgh has to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up, and it has to work to solicit and cultivate development interest accordingly. But given the demographics of Mt. Lebanon and its adjacent communities, there can't be a shortage of businesses that would like to move in. (Can there? If I'm wrong, please point that out.) If that's true, should the Municipality actively "manage" the mix? It's one thing to enforce zoning rules (no porn shops near a school), but it's something else entirely to discourage the "wrong sort of development." The question has nothing specifically to do with the Washington Park proposal, but it's obviously related. The specific prompt comes from comments on earlier posts about the Dyke business across the street from someday-perhaps Washington Park. The building is clearly dated, and it's not consistent with an "upscale" image. But it's not a menace, and it's not a nuisance. Should that matter?
If I could wave a magic wand over Washington Road, I would relocate the medical offices that now have sidewalk frontage, or consolidate them in a single building (sidewalk access being important to older patients, I assume), and replace them with stores, more restaurants, and maybe another gallery or two. How about a fountain/drug store combination? A specialty bookstore that's open in the evening? A bagel store that sells real bagels? A toy store that sells the kinds of hands-on, imagination-enlivening toys that parents want their kids to play with (and that kids typically love), not the mass merchandised stuff available at amazon.com and Toys R Us? How about a consignment/resale store for children's clothing? If I thought there was real life in the motion picture exhibition business, I'd want to throw in with some friends and put the Denis theater back together.
But I don't have a magic wand, and I'm content to express my view -- as we all can -- and then let what passes for the free market do its work. I'd let Dyke be Dyke, come what may (unless the building really does start to fall down, though there's no indication of that happening). I'd encourage the Municipality to be as welcoming and open for business as it possibly can be: any credible business (well-planned, managed, and funded) should be welcome here.
I'm not privy to what actually happens in the Municipality's offices; I'm not challenging or critiquing whatever the Commercial District Office does or does not do. What I'm curious about is what citizens of the town think that the Municipality should do.
Discuss. Please.
Big cities in this country compete for scarce development proposals. Downtown Pittsburgh has to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up, and it has to work to solicit and cultivate development interest accordingly. But given the demographics of Mt. Lebanon and its adjacent communities, there can't be a shortage of businesses that would like to move in. (Can there? If I'm wrong, please point that out.) If that's true, should the Municipality actively "manage" the mix? It's one thing to enforce zoning rules (no porn shops near a school), but it's something else entirely to discourage the "wrong sort of development." The question has nothing specifically to do with the Washington Park proposal, but it's obviously related. The specific prompt comes from comments on earlier posts about the Dyke business across the street from someday-perhaps Washington Park. The building is clearly dated, and it's not consistent with an "upscale" image. But it's not a menace, and it's not a nuisance. Should that matter?
If I could wave a magic wand over Washington Road, I would relocate the medical offices that now have sidewalk frontage, or consolidate them in a single building (sidewalk access being important to older patients, I assume), and replace them with stores, more restaurants, and maybe another gallery or two. How about a fountain/drug store combination? A specialty bookstore that's open in the evening? A bagel store that sells real bagels? A toy store that sells the kinds of hands-on, imagination-enlivening toys that parents want their kids to play with (and that kids typically love), not the mass merchandised stuff available at amazon.com and Toys R Us? How about a consignment/resale store for children's clothing? If I thought there was real life in the motion picture exhibition business, I'd want to throw in with some friends and put the Denis theater back together.
But I don't have a magic wand, and I'm content to express my view -- as we all can -- and then let what passes for the free market do its work. I'd let Dyke be Dyke, come what may (unless the building really does start to fall down, though there's no indication of that happening). I'd encourage the Municipality to be as welcoming and open for business as it possibly can be: any credible business (well-planned, managed, and funded) should be welcome here.
I'm not privy to what actually happens in the Municipality's offices; I'm not challenging or critiquing whatever the Commercial District Office does or does not do. What I'm curious about is what citizens of the town think that the Municipality should do.
Discuss. Please.
Labels: economic development, municipality, washington road
22 Comments:
You have just described Shadyside! I don't believe that all of the businesses should be "upscale". How many art galleries can any given community support? Even though some hate them, the chain stores in Shadyside generate traffic for the independents. I wouldn't mind a Pier One for instance or an Anne Taylor. An ice cream shop and a Rita's Italian Ice generates lots of traffic in Squirrel Hill. I would walk "uptown" with my daughter window shop and get something cold on a summer evening. The stores would have to be open and accessible though!
Agree with almost everything you said (nice to not disagree over a TIF) this time around. More later, but while you are dreaming, I'd add that I would love to see the municipality get rid of our nasty & boring street signs. Greentree, Hampton, USC have all figured out how to make far nicer ones.
Let's learn from the Galleria.
There is one reason for the current success of the Galleria and his name is Frank Kass, of Continental Realty. Mr. Kass purchased the blighted property, applied his formidable management talents and development experience, re-mixed the retail offerings and cashed in for a pile of dough. He was successful and we got a great little boutique mall with good restaurants and a movie theater. This is the way it is suppose to work and when it works, it works marvelously.
There must be folks that manage this kind of thing for an area like Uptown with so many individual property owners - how about Zamagias Properties? They never built a condo in their life, but they know bunches about retail.
As residents, if we want to keep Uptown and the other commercial districts viable, we should support them. Make the effort to shop at Rolliers, Planet Art Gallery, Mineo’s Pizza, Zipper Blues, L.J. Marks Jewelers, Your Invited, The Celtic Cross ...
So, Bill, are you saying, yes, manage the development of uptown, but not use the municipality as managers/gatekeepers?
Mike - most of the types of stores you mentioned have tried Washington Road, with short-lived success. We had a kids consignment clothing store, unique toy store, book store (old store which was pushed out by big box retailers)... perhaps with professional management (not municipality), someone could create that magic mix that draws foot traffic and success.
But I'm still in favor of free enterprise. Hope springs eternal in the heart of an entrepreneur. Let 'em try their hand at running retail. Who knows what wonderful success could come from it?
Anonymous Mom of 3
Is Dyke even open? The last time I walked past, it looked semi-deserted -- not so much empty, but rather in the state in which you might leave a business if you had to, say, liquidate your assets and flee the country in a hurry.
We understand the former Quiznos/MarketPlace is soon to be the second martial arts studio on the street (and about the fifth, if you count Liberty Ave. in Dormont).
Hopefully the parents will want to walk around the street while waiting for their kids' lessons to end. If not, what's the point of having that kind of business in such a visible storefront location?
We understand the landlord had to rent to somebody eventually, but really... this is turning into the "anti-Beverly" road experience. And it really should be addressed.
What happened to Trader Joe's interest in Washington road. We need something like an upscale grocer..Steve Feller...Call the McGinnis sisters!
Isn't Steve Feller getting paid to do this? Why isn't he more visible? Town meeting time!
This is not Steve Feller's responsibility or anyone in the Municipality's for that matter.
The folks that have the most to gain from a vibrant Uptown are the building owners and merchants. I don’t underestimate the intrinsic value to the Community - but using public resources to keep private business in the black is neither effective or efficient. Can the Municipality, facilitate certain activities? Yes. However by their very nature, government spends money, businesses make money - we need to rely on the folks that make money.
Someone once told me that Disney World is really about separating you from your money. He was right and Disney is one of the best. And better yet --- it's a Win-Win circumstance. People love the place and Disney loves the money.
Maybe instead of trying to be Shadyside, we should be Disney World.
While we're at it can we do something about that awful Stevenson sign. I know it has been around forever and some may find it has sentimental value, but it is an eyesore. Look how much better the Denis looks. Anyone interested in buying a theatre? Put a nice book store in the Walker Rug building and you'd have a few reasons to spend a weekend evening on Washington Rd. There is so much potential up there.
I hope Steve Feller reads Blog Lebo! Yhese are great ideas!
See what a can of worms I opened!
I agree 100% with putting the ball in the private sector's court, and not (only) in the Municipality's.
I like the Stevenson sign a lot and would hate to see it go (fix it up a little maybe, but don't get rid of it). I haven't been in Mt. Lebanon long enough to be sentimental. I just think that it adds a lot of character to the street.
As for Disney -- Bill, there we're going to disagree! Disney W. may be great place to vacation (I've never been), but to me the Disney ethos has zero charm or character, or even interest, let alone usefulness. (Then again, I like Tribeca over the Upper West Side, and Oakland over San Francisco.) And Disney's theme parks, especially overseas, haven't been as successful commercially as its other properties.
But that's just me.
But I don't have a magic wand, and I'm content to express my view -- as we all can -- and then let what passes for the free market do its work
I agree with the above. I don't want any gov't entity deciding whether a building isn't pretty enough (aka Dyke), or is good enough to be allowed to rent on Wash Rd.
My challenge to the existing businesses is "what would you consider thriving/bustling"? Because I wouldn't consider rolling up the sidewalks at 6PM during the week and 4PM on the weekends conducive to either. Most people are just getting home from work (or in some cases, college) at that point during the week. And then there are errands to be done on Saturdays. It's not like you can spend a pleasant evening strolling Washington Rd and shopping.
Even if you add a wonderful eclectic mix of great new stores, it's hard to be a destination if they're all closed when people are available to relax and enjoy.
Cheryl
Mike -- Maybe I said it wrong.
I don't want it to be Disney World, just take a page from their playbook about giving people what they want and in return they give you money. They have been hugely successful delivering what some, not all, folks want. To both our our points the rest of the world doesn't want Disney World and therefore they are not as financially successful internationally. This is exactly what is supposed to happen.
Above I said: "The folks that have the most to gain from a vibrant Uptown are the building owners and merchants." They also have the most at risk.
Make no mistake Shadyside is not only about delivering charm, and its just a bonus they make a living at it. It is about making money, as it is with the guy and his mouse.
As for Mt. Lebanon, our "slogan" is "a community with character" - It would not be hard to add an "s" and become "a community with characters."
We need to attract a successful national chain like Crate & Barrel that exists nowhere else within 300 miles. (I'm just using C&B as an example.) People need to come to the destination store and then take their time to hit the surrounding Mom & Pops. And, by the way, I was walking on Washington Road today and went right under the Stevenson/Williams sign. What a mess! The paint is peeling off and landing on the sidewalk. Yuck! And, instead of Shadyside, I'd rather see our business district look A LOT more like Sewickley's.
This is a tough call. I would love to have Planet Art open 24 hours a day, but I have to decide what hours are most benificial to me. The truth is when I was open until 8:00 Thurs and Friday and open Sundays I just wasn't getting any business. The businesses up on Washington aren't chains, usually it's just one person working all those hours. If I had enough people coming in to the store in the evening I would hire someone to work at night, but it just wasn't the case. I will try agian when the weather warms up to run later hours and maybe Sunday hours too. We'll be open until 9:00 this Saturday night for an artist opening, everyone is intivted.
By the way, bd said "I wouldn't mind a Pier One" -- really?? Pier One? There is one about mile south on the right. Planet Art is all local fantastic fine art and contemporary craft.
Also, "how many art galleries can a given community support"-- lot's! Really, if you can get a bunch on one street people will start coming from all over to visit the area and check them out. If we could get the Denis to be a live theatre/indie film venue (maybe with martinis) and we had more art galleries, cafes, B and B's, we could become one of those towns people go out of their way to visit.
I can dream.
We need to support the businesses with our patronage.
Here is an idea - There are 2,500 Mt. Lebanon birthdays next month (and every month) - but if you have a birthday in your family (I do) in April - make a point to try to buy one gift Uptown. Don't buy anything you don't want - but I am sure you can find something for everyone Uptown.
After you do this - send and e-mail to Mame Bradley about your experience (likes and dislikes) and she can share it with the Business and Professional association. Mame's e-mail is: mbradley@mtlebanon.org
Hi Linda -
I can totally understand you position as a small business owner. And what I don't know from my own experience is whether you get more experience from 10 to noon than you would from 6 to 8. So would it make sense to shift your hours from 10-6 to noon - 8? I honestly don't know and I bow to your experience as a successful business woman. But as a consumer I can say that there are businesses on Wash Rd I would love to go into, but have yet to be able to get to because my schedule conflicts with the store hours. And I don't think my sched is that unusual. I do think it's something to be considered in making Wash Rd a destination location.
Which I realize is also off target from the original post, which is what is the role of the municipality. Fingers crossed that it's a very very small one.
Cheryl
I'm usually not negative, but I just don't get all of this fuss over trying to get stores on Washington Road. If is a very dangerous road, with cars swurving in and out of lanes, trying to beat each of the 10 lights. I went to have dinner there and it was very stressful to park, it took a while to cross the street (and then back), and of course had to drive short distance to turn around. It is so close to my house (not walking distance) but it is just not worth it. This is probably many of the businesses struggle, and why many businesses don't want to go there.
Maybe if they had a bypass it could be very successful. But this is the same road that Upper St Clair, Bethel, and much of Mt Lebanon uses to drive into town each day. Some day Lebo will realize this.
Maybe 12-8 would be better, but then I would never see my children. So, I think I will make my spring/summer hours 11-7 thurs-sat (then I still see the family the other nights.). I found that nobody comes in in the dark evenings in January and February, too cold and nasty.
When I first opened I was open all the time and kept track of every person who walked through the door, so that's basically where we got the hours. Certianly if all the businesses were open at night we would all get more business.
Still off the original subject I know.
I think we should really make the downtown Mt. Lebanon shopping area more quaint...make the area with wider sidewalks and outside seating with diagonal parking. This would deter traffic from this area and make it more pedestrian friendly. It would be more European like and less like a speedway to downtown.
I just wanted to put a note in here that I am not "anonymous mother of 3". I only put "mother of 3" on my comment becuase I have three kids and they sometimes keep me from working all those night hours at the shop. I've had a bunch of people come in and ask me if I was "coming out" and "mother of three", but she is a different person, sorry for the confusion.
But, it does show that this blog is actively used be people from Mt. Lebanon and I'm glad it brought them into the gallery.
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