Kier Construction’s Post

Transforming Sidewalks into Stages: The Rise of Urban Street Performance Culture Transforming Sidewalks into Stages: The Rise of Urban Street Performance Cultur... Read More - https://lnkd.in/d27S67F7

I was a last minute substitute to attend this at Hull New Theatre last night. It was really good, completely sold out and it got me thinking about Hull’s tenure as UK City of Culture back in 2017 and, more specifically, the legacies from it. All the talk in the run up to 2017 was about return on investment and making sure legacies were created that lasted for years afterwards. Many people were sceptical this would be the case but 7 years after our tenure ended I think it’s safe to say that was absolutely the case. The stand out example is Connexin Live, Hull , a brand new concert arena that has attracted some fantastic live acts and brought tens (hundreds?) of thousands of additional people to the city many of whom spend money in nearby hospitality venues, shops and hotels. The city centre public realm works and improvements to the Marina and Fruit Matket areas were all as a result of City of Culture (although some of the new pavements are starting to look a bit tatty and being replaced with tarmac - pull your finger out please Hull City Council !). The money spent on Ferens Art Gallery (which resulted in it being able to attract a completely different level of exhibitions including The Turner Prize) continues to reap rewards as does the capital investment in Hull New Theatre which is now able to attract major West End productions like the one I watched last night. It’s great to see Albion and Kingston Squares buzzing and the surrounding bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels busy much more regularly than was the case pre investment. Add to the above the fantastic memories the amazing events created and the number of city residents that experienced an art / cultural event for the first time and I think it’s safe to say we smashed it. PS Don’t we also have the most successful Millenium Project? 🐠 #hull #culture #ukcityofculture #smashingit 🎭🎼

In my humble opinion, the housing crisis is not as simple as ABC, or as bad as an rotten egg. People move 4-5 times on average in a lifetime and when one moves out, another one moves in. If one moves out and no one moves in for a long period of time, the place is deemed vacant, and if that happens too often for too long, the total housing supply will become surplus. Here, we are not talking about migrants who are controlled by governments. They let them in, they pay for their lodging. Fair and square. Therefore, building more homes, cheap or luxurious, are all good. In Canada we don't have a city like Detroit where more people move out than in. So, no matter where and how big or small we build, as long as we have buyers and sellers, housing crises will be rare. If a city can maintain this healthy domino effect on housing, they should be commended for doing a good job. My advice to our developers is: be smart, patient and brave.

This is a personal post. I have never hidden my pride at being from officially 7th Greatest City in the World (Time Out - https://lnkd.in/evSmrM3X -) Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council should be rightly proud. Growing up in 1970's & 80's Liverpool, it wasn't easy. We didn't do ourselves any favours (sometimes we still don't) and there was a clear dislike of the City's militancy. That wasn't without foundation but, thankfully, in 1984, Lord Heseltine spotted the potential and reminded us all of the opportunity that existed. Although it's not been a straight line, the result today is we are 7th!! Some turnaround in 40 years. I'm also proud to be from #GreatBritain and to live in the #UK However, it makes me smile (with irony), when we see what is coming out of our Nations capital (home to the Mayor of London). Mr Khan may have won a 3rd term, but all is not well down South. The good news is that #London remains the 4th best City in the World in the same survey. But there are issues. Being in #financialservices, the effect of what is happening in the City of London Corporation area has an affect on my day to day #life and, precisely because "#money makes the #world go round" it is important that we have a strong and vibrant "City". Being a visitor for non-commercial reasons to London, it is also important that London's #nightime economy regains its mojo. As has been pointed out by Martin Murray, "I remember a time when Liverpool would have probably been in the bottom 7, and this turn in fortune is, in no short part, because of its great #cultural #nightlife, which is now a £5BILLION -a-year visitor #economy, employing around 51,000 people. Another great benefit to the North West is that great working partnership #Liverpool has with #Manchester. Imagine that, authorities working together for the greater good. If only other areas would follow the lead". What Are the Biggest Business Industries in Liverpool - Tourism & Hospitality industries play a pivotal role, capitalising on the city's cultural #heritage and #entertainment options." The latest initiative coming out of Liverpool https://lnkd.in/e564vxGW ...sees experts from #sport, #film, #music, #hospitality and #leisure ..with a 5 yr plan. I am pleased to be a member of The Sporting Club, thanks to Ian Stafford, supported by Paul Cheetham-Karcz and Sedulo, who host their unique brand of #Business #Networking with Sport in Liverpool (and other cities, inc. London). Away supporters at Liverpool Football Club or Everton Football Club chant "you ain't got no history": Actually we have and in the commercial world think Rathbones Group Plc Evelyn Partners BNY Mellon | Pershing Brabners Hill Dickinson LLP Boodles Bibby Line Group Home Bargains. All that and our Universities, Museuems, Parks & Gardens. Blueprint? Just saying.... 👍✌️✊🕊️ #socialmedia

🚨 Big real estate news from our town…Greenwich Village home sells for record $72.5 Million in off-market deal. The deal was Downtown’s most expensive ever for a townhouse, surpassing a $59 million sale in 2016. It still falls short of the city’s priciest for the property type — $77.1 million for an Upper East Side mansion in 2019. The three most expensive deals downtown in 2023: 1) 150 Charles Street, PH sold for $52 million 2) 443 Greenwich, PH sold for $51 million 3) 151 Wooster, PH sold for $50 million. #nycrealestate #townhouse #luxuryhomes #luxuryrealestate

On May 4, 16 residents attended the “Coffee with the Mayor and a Trustee” event at Mundelein’s Crossroad’s Restaurant and Bar. This month, Trustee Jenny Berman Ross joined Mayor Lentz at the event. Here is a COMMUNITY RECAP of the topics discussed and related dialogue.     WITH THE WARMER WEATHER, THE NOISE LEVELS IN MUNDELEIN INCREASE. SUNDANCE SALOON PLAYS OUTDOOR MUSIC FRIDAY-SUNDAY. IS THERE A WAY TO GIVE RESIDENTS A BREAK FROM THE LOUD ROCK CONCERT STYLE OF MUSIC OVER THE WEEKEND? The Sundance Saloon owners have been good community partners in taking action to try and minimize the impact of their music on residents who live near their business. In response to complaints from Grand Dominion residents and other nearby residents, Mundelein passed a noise ordinance a few years ago which places time and noise level restrictions in place. Restrictions include music that ends at 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays. There are also decibel limits in place. The business owners also altered the sound system to project sound away from residential properties, as much as possible. Sundance Saloon has abided by the Noise Ordinance with zero violations, thus far. Any resident who feels that Sundance Saloon is in violation of the Noise Ordinance would need to contact the Mundelein Police Department to file a noise complaint. Then, the MPD will visit the business to determine compliance with the guidelines that are in place. If the MPD determines that Sundance is in violation, tickets will be issued. I’VE READ COMMENTS FROM RESIDENTS CRITICIZING MUNDELEIN FOR THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN THE VILLAGE AND THEN I’VE READ THAT THERE’S A HOUSING SHORTAGE IN LAKE COUNTY. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL TRUTH? There is indeed a housing shortage in Lake County, in many other counties in the Chicagoland area, and across the nation. Mundelein is one of the few municipalities in Lake County that has multiple housing developments under construction. All the residential development underway is strategic and outlined in Mundelein’s Comprehensive Plan documents. The Lake County Housing Authority has recognized Mundelein’s efforts to build all types of housing to try and meet the shortage. Building density not only helps to address the housing needs of Lake County but welcoming more Mundelein residents is also good for Mundelein businesses. READ THE COMPLETE RECAP HERE: https://lnkd.in/gaEpE-C5

In case you haven’t heard, Nashville is a great place to be!  Read Arthur Perlen’s article about how Nashville became the new ‘It’ city:  https://lnkd.in/gp5QH2X6  #nashville #tennessee #realestate #commercialrealestate #cre #property #investment

I’ve been speaking to several connections about this devastating decision, and one many arts organisations were also concerned about their local governments making during the pandemic across the UK. There is still so much work to do in including everyone in the community in culture, shaping placemaking initiatives to support everyone to take ownership of where they are and encourage them to engage with creative change. How do organisations focus on this important work of elevating untold stories and bringing people together to the same extent if there is no backing from local authorities? The value of the creative industries and culture has historically been underestimated, and now, even with every 1 in 5 jobs being in the creative industries, decisions to cut this category from the budget are being made. While the government is finally recognising and funding creative careers, this staggering decision puts these communities at a disadvantage. Culture offers not only a creative outlet, connection with others, and a sense of belonging, but also a greater meaning to be pursued. It also has a significant impact on general human development and economic growth, if it is really all about the financials. It’s time everyone recognised that. This post here puts it well. #standup #cultureforall #artforall #artfunding

Norman Day's article in The Age describes the Vic markets as "theatre" which is supported by my research. (I investigated how the spatial form of the market evolved in relation to its daily use and changing social context. Essentially, I argued that the market design offered a stage for everyday performance, which visitors could access easily from multiple frontages to become co-performers. The frontages were continually refined over time). But following the redevelopment, how much harder will it be for shoppers arriving by car to get to and from the sheds? And if the building towers will create local demand, won't the market be completely gentrified?

MKE historic city third third ward