[Image via the EVCC]
Via the EVG inbox…
The East Village Community Coalition (EVCC) announces the release of "Preserving Local, Independent Retail: Recommendations for Formula Retail Zoning in the East Village." The report analyzes the growing presence of chain stores, proposing a framework for limiting the expansion of formula retail.
Three possible methods of formula retail zoning are proposed within the report. These options — aimed at informing decisions by East Village policy makers — have been crafted using case studies, legal suggestions and preexisting zoning frameworks from other parts of the country.
"As the trend toward homogenization progresses in New York, with respect to both the built environment and retail landscape, a timely solution is needed to preserve the individuality of the city’s neighborhoods," said Sara Romanoski, EVCC's managing director. "Placing restrictions on formula retail establishments via zoning amendments provides a path to preserving the rapidly changing East Village. An East Village Special District using the proposed framework will emphasize the importance and uniqueness of the community."
The full report (PDF!) is available for download here
Learn more about the proposal at the Preserving Local, Independent Retail Roundtable on Wednesday, June 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Downtown Art, 61 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. Register to attend here.
About time something is done. Now if only more apartments can be reserved for primary home owners and not giant real estate holding companies.
ReplyDeleteAnd the crackdown on AirBnB continues so people can't rent a second, third apartment to use as a hotel.
ReplyDeleteThe report does contain inaccuracies to bolster it's position --- such as "Recently the combining of storefronts has resulted in the loss of two well-known East Village independent businesses. In January 2015, it was discovered that Duane Reade on Third Avenue and East 10th Street would expand and take over the storefronts of East Village Cheese and Excel Art and Framing Store."
ReplyDeleteAnd removing non-conforming use would mean the potential loss of a huge number of storefronts which are currently rented to small businesses.
And let's not forget that chain stores are franchises which are owned and operated by small business owners.
Sorry but the McDonalds on First Avenue has been part of the EV for DECADES! Not sure what part of uniquely EV the authors are from. They should be ashamed of themselves! Seniors, kids, people hanging out, this McD's has been a mainstay.
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget, many franchises are independently owned.
ReplyDeleteSorry but the McDonalds on First Avenue has been part of the EV for DECADES! Not sure what part of uniquely EV the authors are from. Great point. Used to go there for their 99 cent ATM...until I realized that Chase Bank would charge me an extra 5 bucks per withdrawal. It may be a little cheaper now, but a couple of years ago I finally paid attention to my monthly (paperless) statement and found all these Non-Chase ATM withdrawal charges.
ReplyDeleteUmmmm, about 25 years too late.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Go chain stores! Bring 'em on!
ReplyDeleteYou people must be kidding.
Kudos to EVCC for taking a major, positive step.
I don't think anyone has called for an end to chain stores, but more of a balance between chain stores and Mom & Pops.
ReplyDeleteDid you read the report 12:51? Sorry but they mentioned the defunct 7-Eleven on St. Mark's Place a number of times. IMHO the report could read "Die, Chain Stores, Die!" Though the history of this neighborhood does include the history of chain stores! 770 Bway Wanamakers a la today Kmart. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanamaker%27s
ReplyDeleteMays Dept store on 14th and Union sq. today Whole Foods, etc.
But what you cry! That is not the EV (as according to the authors). Of course not because that would kinda mess up what is and what is not history.
Oh and did you read that the authors also want to have commercial places close at 2 am.? Which truly is NOT the hx of the area which btw was very known for its many after hour places. So many cabs would come after 4 am. with party goers who would continue reveling till past dawn.
Oh and did you read that the authors also want to have commercial places close at 2 am.? Which truly is NOT the hx of the area which btw was very known for its many after hour places. So many cabs would come after 4 am. with party goers who would continue reveling till past dawn.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but the authors are parents with kids now; parenthood changes you, and not always in a good way.
You know what's really funny? So, your government invades other people's countries and subjugates them -- physically, mentally, spiritually, culturally -- for the purposes of opening markets and extracting revenue and yet you think that you should be spared? Do you realize how many chain stores have been flown in to "developing countries" under a hail of bombs that your tax dollars have purchased? What goes around comes around.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I enjoy a good 'pandering to' as much the next person. From page 3 of the report:
"Over the years the community has been home to a variety of artists, writers, and political activists — each group playing a significant role in shaping the neighborhood and creating the unique place that exists today."
Did you hear that? All you artists, writers and political activists have played a *significant role* in creating the East Village of today; an East Village marked by "a shift ... from independent stores to chains or franchises" and "trends of gentrification and homogenization ...". Uh, congratulations?
A Special Purpose District -- with or without the electric fence? Maybe the Commissars for the Perpetuation of the East Village Community Collective will only permit access to the Chosen Chipped? That's one way of keeping the millennials out. Because that's just what you need, another fat bureaucracy of busybody bean counters riding your backs, passing out permits, and scientifically planning the proper usage for every inch of space ... for a price that you can't fully appreciate yet.
Face it. You've been sold out. Goes around, comes around.
The movement to close everything at 2am needs more attention. Seems like any bar or restaurant that is new is getting 11am to 2am as hours of operation. Outwardly people yell about chains and suburbanites. Then they go to Walgreens and go home and watch TV and complain about noise. 'This was quiet before'. Sad and pathetic. The city that never sleeps has changed and gotten old I guess. Are all thesr EV RS buildings full of old angry 'artists' who want quiet after 10pm? Is that why you got so mad when the old folks home got shut down? Unreal.
ReplyDeleteThe high taxes and regulations imposed on businesses by the mcbureaucrats at Albany and its satrapy Havana on the Hudson are more easily borne by businesses with geographically larger footprints than by mom and pop stores. This point is never mentioned by statists masquerading as something else. If you want to make a more even playing field for mom and pop, replace regulations by the rule of law. Then the new start ups could offer actually productive jobs to the ex-crookeaucrats.
ReplyDeleteBill, opponent of you know what
Ironic that St. Mark's Place and the area were developed for the rich in the early 1820's and 30's --- love those Federal style buildings. http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/09/04/the_strange_history_of_the_east_villages_most_famous_street.php
ReplyDeleteAnon. 4:37 - you sound as if you don't ever plan on growing old and cranky. Get back to me in 40 years and let me know how that's working for you.
ReplyDeleteGojira, Speaking for myself, I can tell you that getting old does not mean getting cranky. I find myself getting less cranky the older I get. Of course, having kids helps.
ReplyDeleteGojira- I am 40. If I ever get "old and cranky" I will move to Florida. I won't stay in Manhattan that's for sure. Its obvious that the RS dwellers who never move are getting older and want a quiet serene neighborhood- perhaps with a buffet that serves dinner at 4pm daily and a shuffleboard court. I just think its sad that commenters attack young vibrant college grads who move here. Is it jealousy? Ageism? Its not good. And this movement to shut down bars at 2am and be hypercritical of any new business is counterproductive. What's wrong with a bar opening at 8am and closing at 4am? Why do I have to be subjected to a 1:30am last call because of some old cranky types? What galls me is people complaining about the burbs when that's clearly where they want to be. Just be honest.
ReplyDeleteWill the "real" East Village please stand up?
ReplyDelete- East Villager
@Anon 2:59 -
ReplyDeleteNo one would be asking for 2am closings if customers of these places would behave themselves, and if bar owners would control their clientele. The nightly screaming outside our windows all damn night has gotten out of hand and enough is enough. I like going out and going to bars, but look what personal irresponsibility has wrought. That is what's ruining the neighborhood. And guess what? People who can't sleep get cranky, no matter what age, rent-stabilized or not.
You accuse one commenter of ageism, then go ahead and demonstrate it yourself. Some of us are, as you say, 'vibrant young college grads'.
Please explain why the report does not deal with the issue of property taxes in the East Village. When NYC Finance triples the transitional value on properties within six years - that means that the taxes are also increasing. (There is a complicated formula - but they don't stay flat when the value increases.)
ReplyDeleteDoesn't anyone think that this has an impact on the asking rents in the neighborhood?
This is an issue that should be discussed and not sloughed off.
What this will do is force the last of the mom and pop landlords to sell to big corps who will bring their lawyers in and get what they want anyway. Guess what will happen to rents then. That is the city's plan with constant property tax hikes. Then everything will be rezoned so they can put up skyscrapers.
ReplyDelete