Dear Blog,
I was just thinking about how very lucky we are here in Roslindale. Within spitting distance of each other, right in our little shopping district, one can find many of life's essentials, bread, cheese, wine, sausages, pastry, and, on a very good day, even fairly fresh vegetables at Village Market (if you're willing to face the surly checkout automatons; would a little eye contact be so hard). Not to mention the flowers, books, pet supplies, and bulk spices.
And yet, Blog, every day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty storefronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?
These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful, thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? As an observer of neighborhoods, I can say that when I see four or five empty storefronts in a two block area, even ones with freshly painted walls and newly sanded floors, I think, "Oh, there's somethings wrong here. Why don't people want to open businesses in this neighborhood?"
The Rambler will be making make further posts On Emptiness. Perhaps some of our readers will share their feelings on emptiness with us.
That's all for now, Blog.
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Little blog about a little village in Massachusetts called Roslindale. (It's really a neighborhood in the city of Boston.)
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5 comments:
A lot of the empty storefronts are owned by a guy named Stavros Frantzis from JP. To his credit, he helpd revive the square (that courtyard was his idea, for example. But he seems to be taking more and more time to rent out those stores, whether because his standards are too high or because he has other things to interest him, is the question.
See this article (scroll past the gibberish at the top).
Oh, Blog,
I too have seen these empty storefronts in Roslindale and it makes my heart very heavy, indeed. Blog, why can't something be done about this? Has this Frantzis-person--if he is the owner of these possible establishments--just decided to opt out, Blog? Does he know the harm he is doing to Roslindale? Well, I guess only he knows for certain, Blog.
But in the meantime, I will continue to read you.
~Luciferus
Having been in on many meetings with Mr. Frantzis. The issue is not if he want to rent the empty stores it that he wants way to much $$$ for them. He is asking for a 6 year lease that goes up 6% every year. This is why Birch St. looks like it does.
Roslindale Village Main Streets Have bent over backwards trying to work with him. The results are his.
My dad owned and operated a business in the square years ago and the problem now is the same as is was then:
No Parking
(and yes this Frantzis fella is a problematic soul.)
Although Roslindale Main St has done their best to blame Stavros (thanks Glenn Williams!) Actually Stavros has done more for Roslindale Square than anyone.
Unfortunately R.Square is not thriving; and not many businesses are interested in moving here, that is why empty buildings are everywhere, not just in the Stavros owned properties. Its not only unfair to blame him, its ignorant!
Witness the blighted gas station, Ashmont Lumber and the MBTA substation standing empty for 10years, 10years and 35years respectively. Reasons why? An utter lack of local leadership.
Main St. has opposed the sale of the substation 3-4 times and opposed more than a dozen proposals for the use of Ashmont, always mumbling some weak reasons, e.g. a Brooks Pharmacy just isn't what the neighborhood needs. (And an empty blighted building is? Or a Staples?!?)
The vacancies were brought up again and again at the recent strategic plan meetings with the Boston Redevelopment Authority but to no avail. Neither they, nor plan author Carol Schlessinger cared to address this problem within their strategic plan. "Not the purpose of the strategic plan," Walter Michalik wheezed at a meeting.
Empty storefronts abound also because Roslindale has grown to have a reputation as having a difficult and controlling Main St organization. They do not like outsiders, and they do not support those who do will not bow to them. Combined with the fact that this is not thriving area, many entrepreneurs prefer to try their luck elsewhere.
Regarding the parking excuse:
The MIT study/plan from spring 2006 and strategic plan research both showed that most of the parking areas are rarely more than 70% full, i.e. there's not a parking problem. Once the city started enforcing the 2 hour time limit, forcing district employees to stop clogging us all the spots, the situation is better now than in a long time.
The traffic is another unaddressed problem with no solution in sight.
A few years ago Roslindale Square seemed poised to become a thriving urban village. Now with the new, stricter zoning laws, there is much to impede improvements in the square. And it is my opinion that Main St wants it that way.
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