[RP TownTalk] Town Center

[Dannielle Glaros]

A few thoughts about the Town Center.

1.  The town has hired a consultant who will help us market and  
promote the Town Center.  She starts in June.
2.  Jemal does not own all of the properties.  Bruce, I doubt you're  
offering the same rates as Jemal, so maybe you can help us understand  
the challenges you've encountered in renting your properties to  
quality tenants (ie. not a store-front church, businesses that open  
regularly and consequently attract additional customers) and help us  
figure out some solutions.  Maybe J.D. Williams can help us as well.
3.  The Doll Shop and consignment store do operate, but most people  
don't know their hours or when they are open.  From the street, they  
typically look closed.  Emily has a great doll shop and the  
consignment store, I hear, has good items, but how can we help them.  
Having businesses in the town center that do not hold very regular  
hours makes it tougher.  Could they open during Farmer Market hours?  
Should we have signs on major roads advertising businesses in the  
town center? other ideas?
4. Jemal's rents are becoming more and more competitive--unless he  
has increased them again.  Pat Prangley told me that College Park  
rents have dramatically increased and some businesses may be looking  
to move....Opportunity for us????
5. In my opinion, the only way to get Jemal's properties rented is to  
out maneuver him.  In other words, work with the properties that are  
not under his control to get those rented to the types of businesses  
we would like to see.  Know are market analysis and develop a  
marketing brochure and reach out to businesses we would like to see  
come to our town.  Encourage local entrepreneurship and work with  
banks to secure loans so that these businesses can get started.   
Rumor is that there are some people with restaurant background in our  
town.  There are definitely a lot of artists.  Let's capitalize on  
our strengths!
6.  The best shot we have at ensuring sustainable businesses in the  
town center and less traffic driving to the town center is to  
increase our population.  If at least 50+% of clients for the future  
town center businesses come by bus/walk/bike, then the traffic will  
not be nearly as bad as we attract businesses to the town center.   
Yes, traffic could be worse as businesses start occupying the town  
center unless we plan accordingly!  This means proposals like Patriot  
Group, KSI, and EYA are critical and pedestrian-friendly connections  
are essential.  We need quality sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and  
lighting.  This does not exist everywhere.  At the moment, our  
current population cannot sustain businesses at the town center even  
a high portion of S&J's business drives.  Dumm's corner market  
derives a strong portion of its profits from its financial  
transaction business (P.S. most of the people who use this portion of  
their business do not live in town).

Lastly, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting tired of  
talking I feel the need for action.  Are other people interested in  
actively helping the town?  Is the Riverdale Business Assn the right  
lead for this?  Another organization?  A group of people who want to  
meet for drinks at S&J's?  What do you think is the next step?

Dannielle
4800 Sheridan St


Dannielle Glaros
dmglaros at gmail.com