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<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007>Jeff, Jay, Mark, </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007>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.)</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007>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.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007>Bruce </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=640472322-10092007></SPAN><SPAN
class=640472322-10092007> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
Yorkedial@aol.com [mailto:Yorkedial@aol.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, September
10, 2007 6:10 PM<BR><B>To:</B> JayRite@aol.com; bruce.wernek@mindspring.com;
towntalk@riverdale-park.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RP TownTalk] Town Center of
Dreams<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"><FONT id=role_document
face=Arial>
<DIV>
<DIV>Are We Creating A Hot Zone or Just Grave Digging?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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 <STRONG>that you really
would support</STRONG> (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.</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jeffrey Yorke </DIV>
<DIV>Natoli Place Apartments</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 9/10/2007 5:31:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
JayRite@aol.com writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial>
<DIV>If you're going to do that, you must focus. </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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... </DIV>
<DIV>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.
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Apply pressure gently, and accurately.</DIV>
<DIV>Not advice, just an observation.</DIV>
<DIV>Jay Wright </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR>
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