[RP TownTalk] Help make RP what you want and enjoy it too

[Dwight Holmes]

Sarah -- I like the concept (if not the name; there seems to be a
general fascination with things 'third' ('third way' in politics, then
of course there's the most-oddly-named 'Fifth Third Bank'...)

If I understand correctly, the public space at Town Center (parking
lot, etc) is owned by the town. Also, if I read the
http://www.pgatlas.com/ correctly (thanks again for that link, Nancy!)
the Post Office on Rt 1 is in a leased location, not government
property...  So what I'm picturing is a spruced up Town Center public
space (after surrounding and framing the asphalt with trees,
landscaping, public benches and tables) with a relocated town post
office, and of course the groceries, coffee and ethnic
cuisine-of-choice that we're all craving... along with pet store, doll
store, etc. plus the old train parked on a 'siding' which serves as a
"destination" (coupled with 'train museum' expanded beyond what's
inside the MARC station right now), perhaps a model train store (Mt
Airy has a wonderful one right downtown, next door, it so happens, to
a coffee shop, and they're not even on train tracks, let alone a main
line like CSX/MARC)

So the Farmers' Market becomes sort of a "Sidewalk Days" (remember
those from back when downtowns still existed) when the market moves
outside, but many of those items are available year round under roof!

On 6/18/07, Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com> wrote:
> I think the survey Alice sent summarized my feelings nicely - though I
> might add that I want a "third place".
>
> -------
>
> [From Wikipedia] The term "Third Place" was originally coined by Ray
> Oldenburg, who suggests that beer gardens, main streets, pubs, cafes,
> coffeehouses, post offices, and other third places are the heart of a
> community's social vitality and the foundation of a functioning
> democracy. They promote social equality by leveling the status of
> guests, provide a setting for grassroots politics, create habits of
> public association, and offer psychological support to individuals and
> communities.
>
> Oldenburg identifies that in modern suburban societies time is
> primarily spent in isolated first (home) and second (work) places. In
> contrast, third places offer a neutral public space for a community to
> connect and establish bonds. Third places "host the regular,
> voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals
> beyond the realms of home and work."
>
> ------
>
> We had a wonderful third place in the Riverdale Bookshop and Coffee
> Depot, and the S&J is also a third place where neighbors gather. I'd
> like a third place where alcohol isn't served so I can bring my kids.
>
> I also like the idea of various shops that serve a variety of passions
> - the Old Town Pets is an example of the sort of place I love having
> in Town Center. I just noticed there's a knitting supply store on
> Route 1 across the street from Franklin's - that's a great idea too. I
> wouldn't want to specify a "type" of hobby to support - there are so
> many!
>
> -Sarah
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-- 
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