THE GROUND FLOOR WINDOW INTO WHAT’S AILING DOWNTOWNS
Traditional retail was struggling even before the pandemic with the rise of e-commerce. “Cities need to see the street level as less a place of transaction, and more one of interaction. And perhaps the people interacting aren’t buying anything at all.” [NYT]
THREE DISTRICTS FOR STATE STREET?
Old Town, the Civic District and the Arts District: The idea is each of the three districts will have “a unique sense of place, look and feel, and site layout,” with “at least one plaza/gathering area in each district.” [Siteline]
OUTDOOR COVID SPACES NOW PERMANENT IN PARIS
Paris has long been renowned for its bustling cafe culture, with 13,000 open-air terraces occupying sidewalks and squares in the years before the pandemic. But thousands of additional outdoor spaces bloomed under an emergency program set up to relieve businesses during Covid lockdowns. They are now permanent. [NYT]
ROAR & POUR, a monthly celebration in front of the Granada Theater.
“IT’S BEEN LIKE WATCHING A CANCER VICTIM DIE”
WITH BANKRUPTCY, INTEREST RISES IN NEWS-PRESS PROPERTIES
“MY VISION for State Street is that it stays closed,” says Sigrid Wright, chief executive officer of the Community Environmental Council, which on July 6 opened its new environmental hub at 1219 State. “Then it’s a vibrant center for retail, arts, and entertainment, but also just for the community to come and be without having to spend money.”
Wright says they are hoping to anchor their section of State, and create a welcoming space where people can put their time and energy into strengthening the community. “Go out to eat, go shopping, and get your ticket to the Granada, but this is a place where you can come to be inspired and design solutions to environmental and social problems.”
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