Tuesday, July 29

Downtown:
Everything's Waiting for You

Petula Clark was on to something when she sang the praises of “Downtown.” We recently posted on the Landmark Society’s conference focusing on the reuse of upper floors of downtown buildings for housing. But in translating those policies to Geneva, we often hear people say “if malls don’t need housing above their shops to be successful, neither do we.” But does research into planning show this to be a good attitude? Not really.

In the late 1990s, downtown zoning was changed to prohibit the development of anything other than one bedroom ‘lofts’ in downtown buildings. Those buildings that already had 2 and 3 bedroom units were ‘grandfathered’ in, but many upper floor apartments were vacated (either voluntarily or by an order from code enforcement) and have not been redeveloped.

The arguments against downtown housing have been varied. From “kids shouldn’t have pavement as a backyard” to “there’s not enough parking,” many people seem to have a reason to keep the upper floors vacant. Four years ago, city council brought the issue up for discussion at a public meeting. It seemed that most people agreed that ‘high end housing’ would be good for downtown, but at the time it didn’t seem that there was a interest in really developing that, so more pressing issues took center stage and the suggested code revisions fell by the wayside.

But more and more we are seeing a reinvestment in downtown, and many of the new owners and developers are from out of town. People who are accustomed to city living are looking at downtown as a great place to live and work. It’s easy to see why people would be drawn to the upper floors of those buildings--the view of the city and the lake is incredible and the architectural features of the buildings can’t be easily replicated in new construction.

As was discussed at the Landmark Society’s conference, there is a need to get these historic buildings back into full use. The owners deserve the ability to utilize all of their square footage, the buildings deserve to be used to their full potential, and the community deserves a vibrant, liveable downtown that is inviting even after the professional offices are closed for the day.

Of course there are families who live in cities all over the country, whose children enjoy safe, healthy, and happy childhoods in downtown districts. In fact, in a time when parents are sometimes leery to send their children outside to play, being close to amenities like the library, playgrounds, and the skating rink might provide better opportunities for childhood recreation. So, we don’t rule out families as residents of downtown apartments.

But recent market studies show that the trend in downtown living is not just the young professionals or urban families that you might think of. Instead, retirees and ‘empty nesters’ are increasingly drawn to city centers because they want to be ‘where it’s at.’ A wide selection of restaurants right outside your door, a short walk to entertainment options, a weekly trip to the Farmer’s Market, summertime lakefront concerts just outside your door. These are the things that draw people back into cities and, specifically, into the upper floors of downtown buildings.

And we know that across economic, social, and other demographic groups, homeownership is usually preferable to rental with regard to property maintenance, neighborhood investment and general quality of life, so we are not saying that the solution for downtown is to create a glut of apartments in every available building. Instead, the City should work with the Business Improvement District to explore a variety of housing options, from condominiums to co-ops to ‘tenancy in common’ arrangements and rentals, too. A mix of housing options and styles will attract the diversity of residents to the downtown area that will benefit the business district, the tourism industry, and the city’s bottom line.

Friday, July 25

Nowhere to Stay? What About Geneva?

Somebody representing the City and Town of Geneva in tourism or economic development ought to call the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (D and C) first thing in the morning. Let them know there are lots of overnight accommodations in the area.

Sunday, July 20, 2008, the D and C ran a front page story declaring “Limited lodging [in Canandaigua] leaves summer visitors nowhere to stay.” The article says tourist accommodations are tight in Canandaigua in the month of July, thanks to the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, two arts festivals, concerts at the Sands Performing Arts Center, and weddings and swimming. According to the D and C, lots of Canadians come down to spend in the U.S., where their dollars go further, adding to the crunch.

The D and C noted the 56-room Canandaigua Econo-Lodge closed last year, and quoted Canandaigua Chamber president, Alison Grems, who says, “We could use two more hotels in the summer.”

What the D and C did not mention is that less than 20 miles from Canandaigua in the City and the Town of Geneva, there are lots of places to stay. Whether they're all booked, too, they still deserved a mention as Finger Lakes area accommodations.

While we have been champions of shared services and coordinated efforts in local government administration, our previous posts on the successes of communities like our own have shown that when it comes to promoting tourism, promoting the arts, promoting recreation, promoting the community as a whole: Redundancy is key! Many voices singing the praises of Geneva, each with their own pitch, is what will get the job done. So, when it comes to tourism development, less is not more!

Wednesday, July 23

Winemakers, Bluesmen, Triathletes:
Capraro, Augustine, and Ted Baker Revisit the 'Creative Class' on WGVA

On air Friday, July 18, WGVA newsman Ted Baker engaged us in a lively follow-up discussion on our two-part post on economic development in Ontario, Canada. As we wrote, the region shares many of the positives of Geneva and the Finger Lakes region, and has overcome the negatives, and is well on the way to a new economy.

The progressive municipality of Prince Edward County consists of a number of small towns merged into one local government and has succeeded in attracting a “creative class” of entrepreneurs, scientists, and artists who seek opportunity, history, diversity, and a sense of place.
Members of the 'creative class', gravitate toward regions where they find a blend of innovation and tradition, where new ideas and people find a home among old sites and sounds. They cluster together in like-minded groups which become advocates for the region which sustains them.

The No Strings Geneva interview discusses the Geneva lakefront planning process and the role of special events like local organizer Jeff Henderson’s Mussleman Triathlon and local promoter Carmen Mungo’s presentation of Chicago bluesmen Nick Moss and the Fliptops, with special guest Lurrie Bell, son of Carey Bell, at Morgan’s Restaurant in downtown Geneva. City government must create conditions that support the private efforts of folks like Henderson and Mungo.

Education helps grow a creative class and provides jobs and other economic benefits. So, education remains important to Geneva's future. Having local opportunities to learn and to work may encourage younger people to stay. That’s why the development of a more robust Finger Lakes Community College extension campus in the City of Geneva is so important. As always, there was more to discuss than the time would allow. You can listen to this interview, and previous radio interviews in the No Strings Geneva radio archive.

Monday, July 14

Inspiration on the 77th Meridian (Part II):
The Theory of The Creative Class

In our previous post about the economic growth in Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario, Canada, we mentioned the Economic Development leader of the area and his implementation of sound community planning to drive the growth. The principles being followed in PEC are discussed in a study from April 2008 titled, “Growing the Creative-Rural Economy in Prince Edward County.” The report was written by a group of faculty and students at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. (For the full text of the report, click here).

The phrase in the title, “creative-rural economy,” references Richard Florida’s creative class theory, discussed in his book, The Rise of the Creative Class (2002). Florida wanted to explain why some cities were enjoying economic success, while others were not. He concluded that the cities with a relatively high creativity index fared better than the others.

So, what is a creativity index and what defines the creative class? A city’s creativity index is derived from the answers to four basic questions:

  1. What percentage of the workforce is from the creative class?
  2. How high-tech is the environment?
  3. How innovative is the community?
  4. How open is the city to different ideas and people, or how diverse is it?

According to Florida’s book, “the distinguishing characteristic of the creative class is that its members engage in work whose function is to ‘create meaningful new forms.’” The creative class includes scientists, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs of all sorts. You can learn about the creative class and other planning and economic development principles on Florida’s website (>here).

The book discusses the way in which prospering cities owe their success to their ability to attract ‘creative class workers.’ To do this, he argues that cities must have “low entry barriers.” i.e., the city must value diversity, emphasize quality of place, be open to differences, and show dedication to the authenticity and uniqueness of place:

“Authenticity comes from several aspects of a community---historic buildings, established neighborhoods, a unique music scene, or specific cultural attributes. It comes from the mix---from urban grit alongside renovated buildings, from the commingling of young and old, long-time neighborhood characters and yuppies, fashion models and "bag ladies." An authentic place also offers unique and original experiences. Thus a place full of chain stores, chain restaurants, and nightclubs is not authentic. You could have the same experience anywhere.” [Richard Florida, author of the The Rise of the Creative Class]


Florida believes that a creative class of scientists, musicians, entrepreneurs, etc., are the ones who combine technology, talent, and tolerance to form a new economy. Such economies emerge when a creative class takes hold in urban centers. US Department of Agriculture Economist, David McGranahan, has applied the ideas to rural communities as well. In an article in the agricultural journal Amber Waves, he writes that while many rural communities “tend to lose much of their talent when young adults leave for college, the Armed Forces, or ‘city lights,’” there may be hope for retaining those young adults and recruiting more if communities “create amenities” that Richard Florida mentioned and better protect and publicize their existing natural amenities. The natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region is referenced in McGranahan’s use of Tompkins County as an example of a prosperous rural community. These principles are, essentially, what the research group at Queens discussed, and that is what Geneva might try.

The creative class seeks the best of both worlds: challenging work and an interesting lifestyle; modern amenities with respect and sensitivity to the past; a thriving economy and a stable environment. It requires a community effort that is genuinely responsive to those needs and ready to meet them.

As we have said in previous posts, the key to Geneva’s success does not lie in tax abatements, development deals, and short-sighted economic development. Instead, we must learn from the example of other communities, and reconnect with what makes Geneva a unique destination to live, to work, and to play. As Florida concludes,

“…much of the country is failing to adapt to the demands of the creative age. It is not that struggling cities like Pittsburgh do not want to grow or encourage high-tech industries. In most cases, their leaders are doing everything they think they can to spur innovation and high-tech growth. But most of the time, they are either unwilling or unable to do the things required to create an environment or habitat attractive to the creative class. They pay lip service to the need to "attract talent," but continue to pour resources into recruiting call centers, underwriting big-box retailers, subsidizing downtown malls, and squandering precious taxpayer dollars on extravagant stadium complexes. Or they try to create facsimiles of neighborhoods or retail districts, replacing the old and authentic with the new and generic---and in doing so drive the creative class away."

Tuesday, July 8

Inspiration on the 77th Meridian (Part I): Growing a Creative Economy

Follow the 77th meridian north, from Geneva, through Lyons and Sodus, and out across Lake Ontario, and you’ll come to Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario, Canada. PEC is a scenic, historic lakeside region which has a great deal in common with our own city, Geneva, New York. And PEC could well serve as a model, and inspiration, for us as we contemplate community-based, arts-based, agritourism-based economic development.

Prince Edward County is, technically, a large island-- just off the northern shore of Lake Ontario, west of Kingston, Ontario, about half-way between Ottawa and Toronto. The current population of PEC is about 25,500 year-round residents. Until recently, it was a quiet agricultural community, but it’s now in the midst of economic transition—well on its way to becoming a tourist destination. You can check it online here.

PEC has all the features we’ve been talking about in Geneva for the past several years: a lakeshore, several wineries and a few micro-breweries (and cheese works), a good many artists in residence, concerts and theater, and all things nautical, including plenty of boat launches, public docks, and beaches. The quaint Glenora Ferry, as the continuation of Route 33, takes you from the island across Adolphus Reach, toward Kingston.

Each of the small towns in the region (e.g.’s: Picton, population 4,000; Bloomfield, 575; and Wellington, 1650) has its own identity, with interesting shops and restaurants. There is Garb, a chic women’s clothing boutique in Bloomfield, and, in Picton, Buddha Dog-- home of the highest rated hot dog in all of Canada!

Picton is also home to the restored Regent Theater, one of PEC’s featured success stories, comparable to The Smith in Geneva. It’s a regular stop for other regional arts groups, including the Pinnacle Playhouse, the Quinte Symphony Orchestra, and the Quinte Ballet School.

However nice it is, what interests us most about PEC is not the what, but the how of their economic transition, still very much a work in progress. Underlying the change has been the formation of several not-for-profit associations among the various segments of the tourist economy. Each clustering of related businesses tells the story of its segment and how it fits in to the larger story of the entire region.

It appears, as well, that government plays a critical, but limited, role in the exciting transformation. It facilitates the associations and coordinates economic development efforts among the different levels of government-- local, county, provincial, and national. In addition, helping to keep property taxes low, and hence, to keep the real estate market strong, municipal mergers (what Canadians call amalgamations) have cut costs and improved services-- from communities as large as Toronto to those as small as Picton.

While some sizable government grants are important catalysts for change, massive infusions of public funds to privileged developers and entrenched businesses appear not to be the model.

One of the key figures in government has been PEC Economic Development head, Dan Taylor. At a neighborhood Canada Day celebration, several local residents, mostly retired professionals from Toronto, suggested Taylor was “controversial.” Why? He has brought outside people-- and outside money-- to the area, creating an influx of economic activity but contributing to tensions between old-time residents and the newly arrived.

Change is, however, well under way. The PEC Arts Council sponsors studio and gallery tours, juried art shows, music festivals (jazz and classical), and a crafts fair. Their “Year Round Studio Guide” brochure features more than 30 local artists (painters, sculptors, jewelers, potters, photographers and maps the locations of their studios. It guides tourists to the art and the artists.

The Taste Trail” publication does the same for vineyards, wineries, and restaurants. Author and “culinary activist” Anita Stewart notes in her welcome, “The speed with which Prince Edward County’s food scene has coalesced and developed is second to none.” “The Wine Tour Map” of the Wine Growers Association and “The Official Guide to the Ontario Craft Beer Route” guide visitors to tastings, and the Waterfront Trail pamphlet, “Your Pedal Passport,” describes six bicycle tours for those wanting to experience the area on wheels.

We noted, whether cause or effect, each member of each association has become an ambassador for their business, their segment of the tourist market, and the whole of the region. Even the cops! When our friend, anxious to get to an event, was stopped for speeding, the officer who wrote him up said, “I’m reducing your violation to a lesser offense, and I hope you spend the money you save in fines on one of our great County restaurants.”

PEC has many assets, and it’s not without conflict (growing pains, as they say); but, in assessing its resources, assets, and potential, it has little, if anything, that Geneva does not have. What has driven the change there-- and would drive change here-- is a coherent vision, an openness to change, and liberation from narrow, self-interested developers.

Progress is coming incrementally, on a small scale, with a delicate balance of the old and the new. We urge folks, especially anyone civicly engaged participating in our community’s dialogue about its future, to make the four-hour drive and spend a weekend in PEC. Experience the possibilities. You’ll be inspired.

Thursday, July 3

A Discussion of the Changes Ahead: Capraro and Augustine Talk Reform with Ted Baker

Due to a scheduling conflict, we missed our regularly scheduled radio interview in May. But June 20th found us back in the WGVA studios, getting back to business with morning show host, Ted Baker. (Click here to listen to the interview in its entirety)

The interview began with Ted’s appreciation for what makes this blog unique. In presenting a fact-based point of view, our focus is on the facts and not so much on the point of view. The way we see it, anyone could tell you what they think is going on with government. What we want to do is give you access to the documents that show what’s really going on and then to share our perspective of how those pieces fit together to tell a larger story of community decision-making, for better or worse. Capraro captured the essence of our mission very succinctly when he said that our readers are looking primarily for the documents and resources that we link to and the point of view is something to “take it or leave it.”

A point of view we hope you’ll take is that the city manager selection process, despite its rocky start, got back on track and ended successfully with the hiring of Matt Horn. Augustine praised Mayor Einstein’s resolve in bringing the process back to the people of Geneva to ensure that candidates were screened according to the community’s priorities. Capraro said that the selection process ended up being a real “feather in council’s cap” because council abandoned the sense of urgency that was initially expressed by some members and instead trusted the existing staff and Acting City Manager Jen Slywka to keep the city moving while Council took its time to choose the best possible candidate. We agreed that having Slywka at the helm “demystified” the process and ended the ‘city manager mystique’ that had left the former council stymied. Now council understands that city hall can work collaboratively with council to achieve City priorities and the pressure will be off of manager Horn to be the “control guy.” This gives us hope for a better work environment for staff and council in the years to come.

That work environment will be important as council wrestles with the budget and the outcome of the lakefront planning process. Both issues should be the main topics of conversation in the coming months, and we previewed some of our blog posts during the interview.

Of particular interest to us is the need for local and state government to look at both sides of the property tax equation: Expenses and Revenue. Municipalities cannot continue to rely on property tax to fund operations. Alternate revenue streams must be developed and the state may be able to help in that. But municipalities also have an obligation to look at their expenses, to explore shared services and creative ways of maintaining or improving upon what’s offered to residents. We also encourage the state to look at the regional amenities that cities provide (schools, hospitals, parks, churches, etc.) and find a way to equitably distribute the strain of the tax-exemptions that those amenities carry. It is agreed that those services and facilities are valuable to communities beyond just the city center, but the cost of maintaining and servicing them is borne almost exclusively by the host community. There are state laws that could change that.

Issues of taxes, lakefront development, and good government processes in general will continue to be the focus of the blog. As always, we welcome your ideas for issues you’d like to see addressed with “No Strings” attached! Just click on the ‘comments’ button below to leave your thoughts.