Public Sphere Projects’ Post

Published today, my opinion piece in Crain's Chicago Business is making the case for celebrating and investing in Chicago’s culture-makers. I offer a counterpoint to all the pearl-clutching about #Chicago’s reputational challenges. It’s true that my beloved city has been a punching bag for conservative pundits, a byword for urban disorder. But the usual package of solutions — conventions, casinos, sports venues, and the like — aren’t the answer. I argue that cities that are successfully repositioning themselves are those that recognize assets already embedded in communities. Rather than subsidizing stadiums and kowtowing to conventioneers, Chicago ought to be resourcing its extraordinary BIPOC artists and entrepreneurs. They are shaping Chicago’s narrative for the next generation. They serve as global ambassadors for Chicago’s brand. And they are undoubtedly the city’s most valuable asset. Hope this piece gives policymakers and corporate leaders something to think about. Agree or disagree, get at me! Choose Chicago American Planning Association International Downtown Association Urban Land Institute World Business Chicago Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Public Sphere Projects

Downtown DC needs a hub for arts and culture and Chinatown would be perfect anchored by the Smithsonian’ Portrait and American Art Museums, Shakespeare Theater, Wooly Mammoth Theater, MLK Jr. Memorial Library, National Law Enforcement Museum, National Building Museum, Capital Jewish Museum, and the plethora of great restaurants already there! Relying on sports is only one option of many. I hope the mayor selects people other than developers to think this through like Destination DC, DowntownDC BID, and the leaders of the aforementioned organizations. When we started going there 20 years ago, it wasn’t for sports it was to explore a place that was uniquely DC, it was an alternative to Georgetown and DuPont, to shop, eat, and walk with friends. So much potential if we look to other models around the country that have successfully revitalized neighborhoods. Investing that 500 million in the residents and arts would go a lot farther than rehabilitating one building, but the people who live and work here should be a part of the plan. #artsandculture #architecture #foodandbeverageindustry #urbanplanning #washingtondc #chinatown #entertainmentindustry DowntownDC BID

A recent report from the Washington D.C. Chinatown task force outlines a bold vision to transform the neighborhood with wide pedestrian promenades, thousands of new housing units, and a deeper celebration of Chinese heritage! This initiative is not only about revitalizing a cultural hub, but also plays a crucial role in the D.C. metro area’s commercial development. The key highlights include: - Enhanced small storefronts on 7th Street - A pedestrian-friendly promenade along 8th Street - Modernization plans for Capital One Arena In the long term, this move will not only meet community needs, but also drive local economic activity for commercial and residential developments as well. Read more on the initiative: https://lnkd.in/e_Nvhe-U #washingtondc #urbandevelopment #commercialdevelopment

It's taken a few months, but I have my newest deep dive history of downtown Gainesville, part two of a three-part history. The 1980's were the first steps in revitalization. By focusing on designing for people and investing in the arts we created the sparks that would make downtown a lively city center by the early 2000's. How we funded that and how these decisions made downtown what it is today was what I focused on. Give it a read and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/gdCwxspF

American urbanist William Hollingsworth "Holly" Whyte Jr., in the early 1980s, spoke three words at a Pittsburgh lecture that shaped my life's work. "People," Whyte said, "attract people." That simple guidance informed me as I wrote the first article on the future of Pittsburgh's riverfronts (1986) and instigated the idea of continuous riverfront access as a co-founder of Friends of the Riverfront (1990). It later informed my writing of Tom Murphy's four-part policy Red Book (1993) and my participation in the Forbes Field II Task Force (1996) that envisioned PNC Park. The Urban Land Institute's recent Downtown Revitalization report to Point Park University presents an either/or fallacy of choosing between downtown as a Central Business District or a Central Neighborhood District. Elements of each will be required. Like many aspects of life, short-sighted profit motives often steer investments in high-end downtown housing, neglecting the needs of middle- and low-income participants. Downtown Pittsburgh thrived when all could enjoy the simple pleasures of Jenkins Arcade and Candy-Rama. Buried in the ULI's 71-slide deck are three simple words that honor William Whyte's legacy. "Remove (the) invisible wall." While the ULI sees the wall as the separation between the university and the universal, broad economic participation is the greater barrier. Somewhere between the extremes of haute couture and street-hustled vendor goods lies the economic mortar (produce from GC Murphy's New Diamond Market and Nicholas Coffee peanuts) that long glued downtown Pittsburgh together. https://lnkd.in/eKBTGr8R

Some of my thoughts in this Washingtonian Magazine article on how to redevelop parts of #downtown #DC. https://lnkd.in/eS4GAyfi

This!  Portland should focus on this instead of listening to out of state land owners who refuse to adapt to the new normal.   Instead of listening to the whiny commercial building owners complain about teleworking we should focus on building communities that support local business and affordable housing 24/7! Thousands of square feet available, plenty of jobs downtown, affordable housing via adaptive reuse seems like a win win if we replaced the housing that was one prominent in an area of need.  It just seems like the easiest solution is often ignored when the elite have to maybe make an effort. 

What’s the scoop on Chicago?   It’s a city where sports and culture collide.   The local fashion landscape is on the rise, driven by trendsetting designers and shops.   But, at the heart of Chicago’s essence lies its deep-rooted sports tradition, from the classic games to unique recreational activities around the city.   Chicago’s harsh climate has forged a community of resilience, united and thrilled by sports, whether rallying behind the Blackhawks, Bulls, or Fire FC.   The city’s narrative is about tradition colliding with innovation, where sports aren’t just a form of entertainment but a pivotal element that knits the city together.   #comncollective #chicago #marketresearch #chicagoillinois #chicagofitness #chicagofashion #chicagosports #sportsperformance #fieldresearch

Over the the past 7 years, we've had the pleasure of facilitating some incredible immersive learning experiences in the city of Detroit that for many participants have been truly transformational. It's a proud city with so many amazing stories to tell, but one of the overlying narratives during this time has concerned how the city's current economic resurgence can be inclusive of the local community. This piece in the New York Times shows that this is an ongoing story. One of the reasons the city is so good for the leadership development work that Emerging World does, is that its stories, and the people who tell them, have the power to inspire, shift perspectives and challenge ingrained thinking about how things work. It's also a city with complex issues and working with dedicated local organizations such as DBG Detroit (Downtown Boxing Gym) Official, BrilliantDetroit, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit & Center for Success Network who understand that complex challenges require creative, empathetic and systemic approaches makes our learning experiences rich. The work they do also parallels many of the complex challenges faced in other areas of the world and in our lives more generally. For those people that genuinely want to ensure that 'Detroit's comeback really does benefit all Detroiters', authentic engagement with the local community is vital. Working with people who understand how to do that makes this possible. And, even if Detroit feels a long way away for you, if we consider sustainable development more broadly, the city's story is one we should all care about and learn with. #detroit #inclusion #sustainabledevelopment #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/e_sQjHeV

Chandler, AZ Economic Development: Infill and Redevelopment Forum. Heather Personne, Rommie Mojahed and Manjula Vaz shared insights and trends in the Pandora’s box that can be redevelopment projects. Downtown Chandler is evidence of successful redevelopment. Michael Pollack has evidenced this for decades. But what does that look like? What can be done with the people that are already there to help them be a part of the vision, success? City of Mesa has shown success with it’s diversity of its submarkets, giving each area an identity, for example Longbow or the Asian District. By doing so the community support and involvement has increased. The interest by complimentary uses is peaking. Redevelopment translates to surprises. It isn’t for those that cannot handle a curve ball. Keeping an opportunistic mindset and an optimistic attitude is key to navigate theses waters. #redevelopment #infill# #chandler #arizona City of Chandler Economic Development City of Chandler, Arizona Women in Commercial Real Estate - #womenincre Evolve Ventures, LLC CRE8 Advisors Gammage & Burnham GPS Commercial Advisors