[RP TownTalk] Town Center of Dreams

Mon Sep 10 23:02:02 UTC 2007

Jeff, Jay, Mark, 

I don't agree.  We've been waiting for 20+ years.  How long is long enough.
Take a look at College Park.  They're 1 mile away.  Talk about density.
Consider EYA vs. Jeys Auto.  This dichotomy is a direct reflection on the
citizens of this Town.  We'd rather have a derelict gas station than a new
one.  I just don't get it.  It's absolutely nuts.  (If any of you don't
agree don't send an email until you take the time and look at our Town's
"Gateway" as Lou so succinctly put it.)

I would be happy if anyone occupied the spaces in the Town Center.  Then you
have tenants to draw the interest of the "Hi Brow" establishments.  Right
now there is nothing and nothing it will remain.  Jemal has to take the
first steps and lease at low prices, but why should he.  No one is giving
him any reason to.

Consider the following.  Take a new residential development project,
typically developers will sell the first units at a lower price to get
people in there so their condos/homes are occupied.  Then they ramp up the
prices as the project builds out.  The same is true for the Town Center or
any other commercial property, you get the first tenants in with low square
footage costs then up the anti as the spaces get leased.  Jemal knows all of
this.  He's been leasing property for years.  We keep holding out putting up
with vacant and derelict properties thinking that a Starbucks or Trader
Joe's is going to move in.  I'm sorry, but this is just not going to happen.
This is not Bethesda, this is Riverdale.  The types of tenants we will get
in the Town Center are all around us, along Kenilworth Ave, Rt 1, Decatur
St, etc.  You have to start somewhere.  The question is, are we ever going
to start.

Bruce  

-----Original Message-----
From: Yorkedial at aol.com [mailto:Yorkedial at aol.com] 
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 6:10 PM
To: JayRite at aol.com; bruce.wernek at mindspring.com;
towntalk at riverdale-park.org
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Town Center of Dreams

Are We Creating A Hot Zone or Just Grave Digging?

Jay Wright is Mr. Right in this case. Lowering the rent will get you just
that: "low rent businesses," and hence, all the joys that come with that. 

While Mr. Jemal may be guilty of disappointing some folks, he has been
considerate enough not to fill his the space with low brow establishments --
dollar store, check cashing, nail salons, Asian carry-out fronted by
Plexiglas, etc. Nothing wrong with any of those business but they aren't
what Riverdale Park has been waiting for.

Perhaps Town Talkers could create a realistic wish list of businesses they
would want in the Town Center. Consider established, local businesses within
a 25-mile radius of RP that you like, use and would want in town. List only
one that you really would support (please focus) if it were across the
street from the S & J Restaurant. Once a list of solid contenders is
drafted, perhaps then the business development committee could pursue those
businesses with a consult with Doug Jemal. Let's go and grow from there.

But remember, no business operator is going to invest in a 20-year ghost
town if there is no sign of life. If your pledges of support are empty, so
are your stores. 

Jeffrey Yorke  
Natoli Place Apartments

In a message dated 9/10/2007 5:31:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
JayRite at aol.com writes:

If you're going to do that, you must focus. 
We are all clearly disappointed that buildings have been vacant for 20+
years, (not sure how accurate that is as I've only been here for 10). But be
careful who you choose to do battle with. "Jemalville" is catchy, but
inaccurate as a target of our 20+ year angst. 

Douglas Development did not acquire the properties that they own until as
recently as 2002-2003. [only 4-5 years ago, according to the The Maryland -
National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)]. I know we all have
had very high hopes that they would have turned those properties into
Shangrila, by now. But the fact of the matter is that they haven't yet, and
until the economy itself, generally turns to the better, probably won't
right away. 

Can they lower the rent? Sure! But, I ask you, what kind of business will
that bring in? I'm sure if you put enough pressure on the developer they may
give in. But be careful what you wish for. We may end up with a Pawn Shop, a
check cashing place, laundry mat, etc... 
You thought that vacant buildings were a nuisance, believe me, it can be
much worse. If vacancy means holding out for the things that we really want,
long term. I'm willing to wait a little while longer. 

Apply pressure gently, and accurately.
Not advice, just an observation.
Jay Wright 

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