Character...

An anonymous commenter stated recently that the new Pistilli Co-op apartments at Astoria Park  " should be demolished and some real 2 family homes put up there instead, ones that reflect the real character of Astoria, not some marketing scheme ".   Although I disagree with some of what they said as, in the end, it is all a matter of opinion. 

I realized there was an important question to be asked, which is: 

- What determines the character of a neighborhood?

- Is it static, or constantly evolving? 

- Is bringing in something adverse to what the community has been a good or bad thing? 

The more questions I ask, the more I realize that there's no right or wrong answer. A neighborhood is more than its housing, and character is more than just style or tradition. The Riverview apartments have the potential to be their own community, as can the Acropolis complex. Personally, I have always wanted there to be loft apartments in Astoria...and bringing in people who can afford the apartments may also bring in a demand for nicer cafes, stores and the like. 

Logistically, it would seem that the building is creating MORE housing than if two family housing were built in the same location. Is it creating more expensive housing? From the perspective of a renter, yes...most of the mortgage payments plus maintenence is beyond what I can comfortably pay per month. However, the asking price for the units is a bargain compared to the rest of the neighborhood for purchasers. In addition, most of the new two family housing that has been built in Astoria could be considered as equally gaudy as what the Riverview is to it's detractors.

And quite frankly, I am of this opinion: If you've going to criticize something/someone, be specific, be articulate, and be thorough. Otherwise, you end up lacking credibility, which has more impact than all your words combined. Most of the hostile and impassioned words spoken on the subject of the building have been written poorly, vaguely, and inarticulately...which, as I hope, is not a reflection of the people who have written them. Nothing worth writing has been written quickly. I wrote this entry over the course of a workday, and am glad for it. 

Choose your words carefully.

The List... (no, not the one on Heroes)

1.Get others on Board
make list of all existing helpers and projects
send e-mail to all survey responders
compose survey e-mail
re-assign all current participants
write city officials
press release
blog entries
meet with Bill Everson
meet with Mano
meet with Fatty's owners

2. Create Fundraiser
Expand BYOBook party idea
Ask Amanda to help create/organize event
List possible venues
Create fundraising goal
Discuss ways of funding with Dana
Create way to donate thru blog
Contact blog readers and astorians forum about involvement

3. Plan for Investors
get in touch with SCORE experts
research bookstore plans online
acquire bookstore/retail supply catalog online
Daedelus Bookseller Info
Email to Andy about figuring out costs
Look back and review current plan

4. Business Costs

5. Create PR awareness
approach schools about being supplier/after school programs
approach board of education about supplying
talk with principals about possibility of after school programs
start posting more frequently in Astorians Forum
start asking questions to others in forum
ask Bill to plug idea
ask businesses to post teaser poster
create teaser card
possible naming contest
ask forum members to spread the word
approach SITE design

6. Location
approach commercial real estate brokers
get a sense of median prices
find commercial real estate lawyer

7. Branding
Call Dayna about logo design
Period graphic design sources research
Shop America book
Official concept statement
Design for swag
Mugs shirts stationary glasses bookmarks stamp invoice
Storefront teaser posters
In-store graphic design
Library card design idea

8. Design Concept
re-visit concept statement
organize appropriate research
collect/scan period research
create style guide

Creating a plan...to keep moving forward.

Ironically, the very thing I've been putting off is the key to getting things done.

Along with being occupied with other projects, I hadn't sat down to create the list of what I needed to get done to move forward (planning my work) - and, as a result, once again, it's kept me from making progress.

And it's not just making the big chores list, but also splitting it into the small chores list - the laundry list that can be done piece by piece, in no particular order.  and if those tasks still seem too big, it can be split into something smaller..until, even if it is 1000 tasks, they are all manageable.  like a 1000 piece puzzle, it will get easier as you go along.  so the next post will be that list...by section/subject, from the basic to the specific...reverse engineer what needs to be done.

Growth of the Neighborhood...

I had the opportunity to visit Crescent & Vine, a new wine bar in the neighborhood, and was pleased to see yet another example of a new business that is catering to the fact that ours is a neighborhood whose demographics is gradually growing younger, and that, in order to both survive and grow as a community, has to let go of the traditional types of businesses that have existed up until now...

To clarify...it's not about the type of business you bring in...it can be a nail salon, it can be a deli, it can be a DVD rental store...any business will work as long as you allow the community to engage and create it, and as long as you connect with the community that you're part of.  Cookie cutter businesses, as long as they provide for a strong demand, will survive.  Starbucks, T-Mobile, etc. can survive in most neighborhoods provided the service is reliable.  However, independent stores WILL NOT THRIVE without engaging the needs and interests of the community.

I've read enough blogs and forums to observe that people's opinions of a place can be extremely varied and inconsistent.  Everyone's experience of a place will be quite different, depending on their expectations and opinions...so, for me, to complain about the quality of a store is irresponsible unless you let your complaint be known to the establishment.  Are the drinks overpriced? Let them know.  Is there too much ice in that ice coffee? tell them.  You're the customer, and you have the power to shape their business.  You don't have to resign to paying their prices, and you don't have to stop going or bad-mouth a place to make a difference.

Back from where the sidewalk ends...

Having been gone for the last few weeks, I was surprised (pleasantly), at the new responses from my last post, so I intend to be following up during the next few days on all of them.

My absence was a result of a projection design gig that I had down in Little Rock, AR, called The Legacy Project: It Happened in Little Rock which was a docu-drama  ( I would rather call it a dramatized oral history) of the integration of 9 black students at Central High School in Little Rock in 1957.  Although most of my generation was not around and would not know of it off-hand, I'm sure you have seen this picture at right...put simply, this was the beginning of the enforcement of de-segregation in our schools, and the story was a culmination of interviews, copious research, and news footage (which became my job to show, amongst other things)...and, to celebrate that project's completion, I went on vacation for a few days.

So, an update:  the space had potential, but, quite honestly, we're not ready to move on it, mainly because:

1:  The cost of everything has not been thought out, nor has the financial plan been written out...

2: Money has yet to be raised, and investors have yet to be brought on...

I have also been spending a good amount of time on re-designing my portfolio and mailing them out to numerous theatres.  That now having been done, I will have much more time to devote to making progress with the bookstore, as I am encouraged by the community response thus far.  I also plan to focus less on non related events in this blog, as a.) they're none of your business, and b.)pulling focus from what I really want to talk about and get in action with.

A new opportunity...

I received a call yesterday from the real estate office that I had called regarding the space on Ditmars and 28th... they're interested in having a bookstore there (which makes my job easier, baing that they're "on my side". Although I was planning on going to the gym, it was something worth skipping in order to get to see it before I go to little Rock this weekend.

The space has a lot of potential....it's a great amount of space, and it's lower ceiling for the back half may actually help give it a greater sense of intimacy.  the price is very reasonable, and the fixer-upper back garage area could make a kick-ass cafe area/reading room. And it has a full glass front facade. I had often wondered how I was going to be able to visualize a space given a bare store, but even with the slats meant for product shelving walls in the way, it's easy to see what you can do with a space.  I almost wish all the money was in place already, as the real estate agents are willing to talk the landlord down...

Once I figure out how to add photos to a blog post, I will update this with pictures (meaning once I have an extra fifteen minutes tomorrow) with ideas and comments.

Better yet, here's the link to the Flickr pictures.

Commitments...

Realizing, as I look through these posts, that I have not been in action the way I wish I was about the bookstore - It's trickles here and there.  but I also have to put into account that I've had a lot of things on my plate, one of which will be done as of Wednesday  - my current portfolio. However, i also have a show coming up that will keep e busy through the middle of September, starting the 2nd - so don't expect to hear anything from me, as I have a prior commitment.

Taking a lot of projects on is difficult, especially when you don't know who to give what in order to get it done quicker.  is there someone who could take over part of the business plan?  someone who would know how much things cost?  Perhaps a new e-mail to Andy might help...