by W.N. Ross
The author’s comments are in response to Descartes On Nyack posted on 9/22/2009.
I want to address three issues, but first this: So sorry you have to endure drunken laggards, on your way through Nyack. There is a bit of a college crowd here, and this happens in an area where the bar hopping is packed into two blocks. I have lived in several tourist areas, one an up and coming artist area in Manayunk, PA, where there were 50 restaurants in six blocks, crowded everynight, with every kind of person: locals, college kids, danceteria people, happy pubbers, the chic and trendy. There would be someone’s driver waiting, while a group of toothless locals stumbled by, crossing paths with the white collar boys out for a night on the town. It was a vision of amazing proportions, yet all survived.
Your points about opening a new business here to day are so on point. The loss of revenue may not matter to the landlords, One of them being M.s Olive, who let their buildings sit empty, rather than take a few less dollars for the next few years. But the new ventures are struggling in an area that cannot sustain them. Soon they will all be gone. The landlords being the source of their failure, as well as the lack of moneyed foot traffic to the area.
It is defeating the Village. It also brings home the points of revitalization when people are trying to save Nyack from a return of the 70’s. I certainly don’t want to repeat those days.
If anyone has attended the township meetings, you will be aware of the never ending saga of Riverspace. I can’t fit all the pieces together of who owns what and who wants what, but the end goal is to develop the super block, for which they need a super fund.
In short, there is now a citizens committee who has worked very hard to put together a document with some vague approach to getting the development process started. The village voted on using a grant writer to find funds for a feasibility study to see what they should put in the space. Feasibility studies are useless.
While they want mixed use, open space, shops, food, etc. No one has a clue what type would be good for this Village.
I am concerned because the committee is unfamiliar with these types of projects, and they are understandably insecure in the approach. That being said, they haven’t looked at other towns, or compared other projects. At least it doesn’t appear that way.
However, a big developer came out to talk to them, and I believe they have elevated him to guru status. It’s a naïve move. “They don’t want someone who just wants to get rich off their development and put anything in there” ok, there is the big issue. First of all, the developers all want to get rich, and this one developer happens to be one of the richest. Second, they don’t build what you don’t approve.
In reality developers do the feasibility studies, they get a request for information, make a presentation, then the board or committee chooses the best one. Then you have to lock them in to a timeline, or the day never arrives.
This developer has called the mix use area, retail, “affordable’ housing, and it will include a theatre. He has done a good job of endearing himself to the committee, and they are full of admiration. The developer is by far one of the richest, and the majority of his work is low to middle income based.
First of all, the word “affordable” typically means, low and low middle income housing. I certainly don’t want to see another low end housing unit go up in the center of town no matter how pretty you make the outside. Today’s mid rise low income is tomorrows slum. Additionally, with the affordable premise used for housing, what element of retail or food service do you think that will bring to Nyack? What element of customer will be serviced in the two super blocks of bars? Another huge mistake is to put a parking garage in the center of town. It’s instant death to the shopping area. I have seen it happen more than once.
A member of the committee also stated the builder would be a green developer. Well, I would think LEEDS would be mandatory but there are all different levels of GREEN building. My developer associates say, LEEDS, ha, that’s recycled cement and bike racks. We know it is a little more than that, 150 things more than that actually, but it really deals with getting materials locally, more than the level of quality in the product. For instance; what is the better quality of green? Think about these two items used in green building, recycled paper for countertops, or glass countertops from recycled glass. One is incredibly cheap and has a poor performance record; the other is not cheap and has a wonderful performance record as well as being aesthetically pleasing, artistic, etc.
Green builders can make the units tiny, the amenities too few, and it will definitely keep the cost down, but you are building the tenement of the future. Carbon Neutral, like solar assisted, or water cooled would be a benefit here, and higher end materials used inside the buildings, like wood flooring, bamboo cabinets, potable water collection systems, granite counters, stone floors in the bathroom, stainless steel appliances for apartments, and proper architectural planning to maximize efficiency. It was done in the financial district, in NYC, and all over the country. Even the low end builders in Washington Heights, Inwood, and parts of Harlem, used these materials to rejuvenate their areas. They have similarities to the same levels as the new high end units across the city. Nyack would have to compete with that. What does affordable housing look like in Nyack? Where is the stimulus to live here? I would think if you live in a degrading environment you don’t care
where you throw up…….
Here is worse news, apparently the big developer sold the committee on the idea that the retail stores would cough up some extra money every month to support the theatre. I don’t know how you feel about that. I say it ‘aint’ so. I asked my friend, another big developer, what he thought about that. Here is what he said, “The only way the theater will work is if rich people and corporations donate huge sums to it every year. The bagel store and the handbag lady have a hard enough time making payroll, let alone being tithed with some witless imposition for next month’s production of Il Schizophreno.”
“I think you’d be better off with a Barnes and Nobel, a Virgin record store, a Starbucks, and an Einstein Brothers Bagels. Nicely decorated, of course. Throw in a flower shop and rent the lobby of the theater to the lady who sells umbrellas.”
Of course all those stores are dead or dying, but he said it to illustrate the point with a vivid and impacting visual. So don’t get your shorts in a knot, he’s right.
And BTW, he used to live here, but moved because of the decline. He said it was too old hippie with no idea of what upgrade means. These ”old hippies’ are now advising the township on “affordable” housing.
There really has to be an overall plan in keeping with the original ambiance of Nyack, but focused on the 21st century and beyond. It was a haven for literati, artist, writers, painters, and the remnants of the well to do.
I am sure if people really think hard they will come up with an idea of what the super block and the rest of Nyack should aim to be. They would also need to look at other successful models and pull ideas we can use from those areas.
There are plenty of ideas that are aiming to the future. The package has to be in concert with revitalizing the whole area, as other villages have already done. Nyack needs to entice arts and light industry to come here. One example: what about a glass company that makes glass countertops, tiles, and small objects? He could have a small workforce from the area, offer apprenticeships, and have a glass artisan shop in the back where people could train to make glass art. Local glass art could be sold in the shops here. Of course the glass factory uses a great deal of water to polish the glass but guess what, it’s all recycled, cleaned and the sludge is bio degradable and usable.
It would also solve one small portion of the recycling problem. I can’t even fathom how people put up with the lack of recycling for businesses here.
The riverfront area owned by O&R, is also a great spot for community development. Why wouldn’t they lease it to us for 99 years, like the Quakers did in downtown Philadelphia. What about live/work lofts and gallery space for new and emerging artists? New opportunities have to be tackled.
In order to do this an administrator needs to be appointed to recruit better business to this area, handle the development details, and work with grant writers to bring more money to our little village. This person would have to be chosen carefully. They must have a clear vision of what will benefit the community, be eco minded, (and understand the differences) and at the very least want to upgrade, preserve, and incorporate good living back into Nyack.
Nyack is behind and if it keeps going in this direction, it will be a great haven for drunks, (more drunks) indigents, ghetto types, and a repeat of the 70’s, or worse.
See also: The Superblock Report 9/20/09, Superblock To Get More Study 9/11/09
WN Ross:
We should talk. At least some of the concerned merchants could collaborate and make an improved mark in the village together.Give me a call.(845)358-8540 or email me oliveboss@aol.com
Yes, Who would want to open a store on our Main street. Without a strong following there is a very limited chance of success. The street is dirty, there are posts everywhere, the signage on the storefronts are in poor condition, and the foot traffic is limited, except for the young bar crowd. Yet, there are a few good stores that have opened recently. Most of them new ventures and they seem to be struggling, but staying alive. Maybe just lowering the rent $1000 isn’t enough. Perhaps rolling back the rents to a reasonable rate is more supportive for new business. I can’t see how any store doing reasonably well in another location would pick up and say, Oh yes, let me move to Nyack, where I can pay incredibly high rents and never be sure if I can sell anythig. Perhaps the only chance the street has, is through new vendors with good ideas. Maybe a plan can be worked out to help store owners until there is more business. Additionally, companies that had locations on Main street many years ago,are unhappy with the Village. They are now in other locations like Pearl River, because of the rent increases, and some because of the strife and problems during the 70′s.
The theatre may have brought revenue to the restaurants, but it will not bring traffic to the retail stores.
It’s true about Tarrytown. They have a good administration.
Tarrytown has wonderful programs. There is a scarecrow making day in the park. The scarecrows are tied up on the split rail fence next to town. The streets are clean, and the storefronts are in relatively good condition.
Christmas is also a special time in Tarrytown, with all the lights, and fanfare.
While I was in the Pacific Northwest, last Christmas season, the stores were open late. There were large pedestals outside and periodically people dressed as nutcrackers paraded down the street, while playing music. They jumped on the pedestals while Jazzy Christmas tunes filled the air. People drove in from everywhere to participate. The streetlamps were decorated with large dangling ornaments, and wrapped like candy canes. It was festive in a big way.
It wasn’t rocket science, just a little creativity.
I don’t believe anyone will act on the Streetscape, and after 12 years, the plan may be outdated. Where is the heart and creativity? On the other side of the river in Katonah, they let some big brand stores into the main street. I don’t think it will compete with the mall if there were one or two big name stores on the street that didn’t have representation at the Mall.
These are just some of the ingredients needed to revive this Village. It needs a facelift. Get rid of those ugly garbage cans, limit the amount of posts people can have on the storefronts, get people to clean up. Pro-actively work on a plan for the Superblock and other areas of the Village downtown area at the same time. We could use a good theatre, but wouldn’t it be smarter to think bigger and better? Where is our cultural Center? a state of the Arts facility that houses more than a theatre. An environment where we had a main theatre, and two smaller theatres where new artists could try out their concepts, and small dance recitals could test their venues? A cultural center could house a small museum, an art library, educational forums, dance and theatre classes, eco friendly art programs, small galleries for art exhibits. Outside could be a green area, where people could sit and read, eat lunch,or just enjoy the day. Next to the center could be places for shopping, and the parking could be away from Main Street. It will take vision, and unity, and community drive. It will also take more than one dubious grant writer.
I, as a landlord, want to defend the landlords position. My store is vacant not because I will not lower my price, as I have in fact lowered it nearly $1000> The problem is finding a qualified tenant with a decent credit score and a potentially successful business plan and the capital to be able to survive in this economy. I’ve turned down a number of people because they were not qualified or did not have the finances or had too many partners. I’ve been a landlord for many years and have learned how to choose a tenant wisely. It’s better to have an empty store than to fight to get a dead beat tenant out. The implementation of the Streetscape would bring more potentially viable tenants to the commercial districts. The village merchants are all suffering and have a difficult time just meeting their monthly expenses. The merchants need more support of the local residents, village board, and visitors.
Without the Riverspace Theater, the parking lot is virtually empty which means so are all the stores. A huge amount of revenue has been lost with the closing of the theater. The Tarrytown Music Hall operates at a profit. Who do they have operating such a success. We should learn from them.
I drove through Tarrytown last week and was astounded to see that every lovely lamppost had a festive pumpkin fastened to it bringing in the Halloween and fall season. It’s all these little things that go a long way in a village.
Hopefully we will have a Mayor who will act swiftly on the Streetscape and the Comprehensive Master Plan which took 12 years to prepare. Tarrytown’s Master Plan took 17 months to prepare and implement. Why is Nyack so slow to make decisions?
I guess I started trying to love Main Street, Nyack in the early 70′s. I could never understand why such a glorious and beautiful town on The Majestic Hudson River, could never really get beyond being a gussied up slum. I know is at least a few of Nyack’s incarnations back in the day… it was a bustling little port town during a once bustling economy. I know… it’s not Newberg yet, but honestly, it’s really not “that” much better.
What I don’t really understand is why, within just a few miles of Main Street, live some of Rockland County’s wealthiest tax payers/residents, and yet Main Street just never gets any better than it is right now?
I know It’s not because no one’s tried… because lord knows there have been believers… those who actually have had the desire to transform Main St. into a beautiful world class destination. Yet the best they can do is glorified tee-shirt shops and saloons. Some of which, don’t actually suck.
Why hasn’t it become clear yet to anyone in city hall, people actually want to come here, spend money here, shop here, dine here and take in the beauty of our river town without drunken idiots, motorcycles blasting and nonstop cop cars patrolling like it’s it’s Compton.
It seems to me, landlords have been waiting my whole lifetime for rents to go up in Nyack… and people try and try to get it up and running, only to find out six months or a year later… the traffic Main Street pulls in… can’t support these new entrepreneurs who sometimes put all they have on the line.
It seems like Nyack has always been the one town with limitless potential, yet it just never seemed/seems to have the resolve of the powers that be to create a quaint, historically significant, or economically viable destination.
I guess I am a member of yet another generation that came and went… to experience Nyack as it it really is… The little town that couldn’t.