When "revitalization" experts get together, whether it's in Erie, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo or anywhere else, they sing the same song. Lyrics always include "unique history" and "singular cultural heritage." Just think about all the times you've heard someone talk about incorporating Pittsburgh's "essence" into dowtown loft and upscale retail developments--all while the furnaces fall to the wrecking ball.
As all three regular readers are well aware, AntiRust does not buy this line of reasoning. Well, at least a few of the revitalizers are beginning to admit that the fix is in. Check out this story in today's Baltimore Sun, detailing what a few experts are saying about that city's future:
Old Navy? Bed Bath & Beyond? Pottery Barn? By bypassing Baltimore, you national retail chains might be missing out.
Downtown Baltimore has the population and the ready cash to make it one of the country's top 10 retail markets, according to a new study.
A retail assessment commissioned by the city and area development organizations shows the wealthy, waterfront parts of town boast demographics that rival established urban markets such as Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.
"I was surprised," Downtown Partnership President Kirby Fowler said of the results. "I go to New York, Philadelphia, Boston and D.C., and I'm always very jealous of the retail they have. ... We finally have a chance."
Doesn't this undercut the entire notion of uniqueness and "cultural heritage"? In what way, if this plan succeeds, will downtown Baltimore be any different than Shadyside, or Old Town Alexandria in Northern Virginia?
Look, I have nothing against Old Navy and Pottery Barn. I own stuff from the former, and would shop at the latter if I could afford it. But I think redevelopment officials are(surprise!) trying to have it both ways. They sell us on our city being a special place worth preserving--but by that they seem only to mean saving the shells of old buildings and neighborhoods. Architecture rather than attitude.
Which, in the end, is probably what people want. People say they want to shop at funky boutiques and eat at eclectic local establishments, but only after scarfing down their fifth Starbuckalicious mocha-something of the day and their third bloomin' onion of the week.
So maybe we should just end the shell game: We should stop saying that we value "unique" in any real way, so the developers can quit telling us that's what we're getting when they bounce the local dive bar in favor of Restoration Hardware, Banana Republic or whoever else can pay more rent into city coffers.
Amen, Brother!
I couldn't agree with you more.
I find it downright depressing the way certain chain restaurants come into the market, buy a bunch of Pittsburgh photos and other "memorabalia," put the stuff on the walls and act like they've been here. It's crap, and an insult to the people who built those now-dwindling industries.
Posted by: Jonathan Barnes | October 23, 2005 at 12:05 PM