789 replies to this topic

[krazeeboi]

And I think he's the same guy who comments on those articles too. Some things that require taxpayer support aren't designed to turn a profit (e.g., mass transit).

[waccamatt]

Doug L, on Jun 26 2006, 09:09 AM, said:

Matt, you and Krazeeboi are 100% correct.  We have one guy on the mayor's blog who's sole purpose is to beotch about taxes.  Everything, according to his logic, is a waste of money if it does not turn a profit.  Good grief!

Exactly; he is an example of capitalism run amuck.

[krazeeboi]

And we have our first proposal in Five Points since the announcement of the redevelopment master plan.

[mr.chips]

krazeeboi, on Jul 2 2006, 02:04 AM, said:

And we have our first proposal in Five Points since the announcement of the redevelopment master plan.

That is fabulous! Once again, this forum is "ahead of the curve" when we discussed this idea earlier. Let's hope that the developers come up with some good creative ideas for this property, something that will truly enhance  Five Points.

[Spartan]

That is great news. I hope they retain some of the unique features of that site though, like that brick tower thing.

[Doug L]

I am besides myself with delight that that awful looking Kenny's property and parking lot will be replace with something that will add to the village feel of Five Points.  I hope the city can come in between the Kenny's property and Yesterday's and construct a parking garage with retail facing Devine and the other street (whatever its name is).

I would also like to see on the south side of Blossom street from the railroad tracks to Harden Street a series of high rise apartments in the 20 floor range with all retail along Blossom Street and the entrances to the buildings facing the opposite direction but still having an access entrance on Blossom Street.  

Can you imagine Five Points ringed with high rise multi-use buildings containing retail, parking, office space and apartments with the single homes behind them and the village feel in the front?  I can!  Five Points has the potential to be a second (if not the primary) downtown Columbia.  

Please don't think that I have given up on the Richardson (Main) Street corridor. I feel just the opposite; but Columbia is getting to the point that it can use and support two focal points.  Columbia is blossoming like a giant crape myrtle in July.

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[TheSuperPope]

^^There is nothing wrong with your idea at all. I have always believed that 5 points could have columbia's next skyline... kind of like Sandy Springs in Atlanta (I would compare to Midtown but it has a very commercial and business feel while Sandy Springs or Buckhead are retail and residentially oriented). I would love to see 5 points turn into a true urban destination surrounded by mid and high rise apartments and residential.

[krazeeboi]

That's a bold vision Doug L; I like it. Then get a residential mid-rise or two to go with the Midtown at Forest Acres project, and we'll be looking at something for sure!

[GMoxley]

Capitalism doesn't run amuck...only government

waccamatt, on Jun 26 2006, 08:05 PM, said:

Exactly; he is an example of capitalism run amuck.

[Doug L]

GMoxley, on Jul 4 2006, 12:12 AM, said:

Capitalism doesn't run amuck...only government

You are wrong!  Both/either can go amuck.

[waccamatt]

Doug L, on Jul 4 2006, 09:10 AM, said:

You are wrong!  Both/either can go amuck.

I agree; while there are alot of good things about capitalism, there are alot of bad things, too. It breeds an environment of winning/making money at all costs, regardless of the affect on others.

[Spartan]

The reality is that too much of either is a bad thing. I think that we do a pretty good job of blending the two in this country.

[krazeeboi]

Question: Do you guys think that with the redevelopment of Five Points, especially the residential aspect, more of the mom-and-pop stores could be replaced with chains? I ask because a neighborhood in DC (Dupont Circle) is going through this very same thing now; the neighborhood gets "hip," commercial rents skyrocket, the local stores are forced out, and the chains rush in. I know that DC and Columbia are two entirely different beasts, but in a free-market society, similar trends can take root in two different kinds of cities.

[waccamatt]

krazeeboi, on Aug 14 2006, 03:43 PM, said:

Question: Do you guys think that with the redevelopment of Five Points, especially the residential aspect, more of the mom-and-pop stores could be replaced with chains? I ask because a neighborhood in DC (Dupont Circle) is going through this very same thing now; the neighborhood gets "hip," commercial rents skyrocket, the local stores are forced out, and the chains rush in. I know that DC and Columbia are two entirely different beasts, but in a free-market society, similar trends can take root in two different kinds of cities.

That does happen to some extent, but it the locally-owned business manages themselves correctly, they should be able to thrive even in a high rent district.

[GamecockEngineer]

krazeeboi, on Aug 14 2006, 05:43 PM, said:

Question: Do you guys think that with the redevelopment of Five Points, especially the residential aspect, more of the mom-and-pop stores could be replaced with chains? I ask because a neighborhood in DC (Dupont Circle) is going through this very same thing now; the neighborhood gets "hip," commercial rents skyrocket, the local stores are forced out, and the chains rush in. I know that DC and Columbia are two entirely different beasts, but in a free-market society, similar trends can take root in two different kinds of cities.

Wasn't it the Mom and Pop stores in 5 points that were a major factor in coming up with the master plan?

Edited by GamecockEngineer, 14 August 2006 - 08:47 PM.

[Spartan]

GamecockEngineer, on Aug 14 2006, 10:46 PM, said:

Wasn't it the Mom and Pop stores in 5 points that were a major factor in coming up with the master plan?

I think so.

[krazeeboi]

So can you see the potential irony here?

[Spartan]

You'd be blind not to

But lets not jump the gun here. The chain stores that are there are far out numbered by the other stores.

[krazeeboi]

The same was true in Dupont Circle about six years ago. And while the locally-owned stores are still in the majority, the chains have slowly but surely been on the rise. I guess it's almost unrealistic in today's society to expect a district to consist of 100% locally-owned stores.

[803metlife]

5pts is just that area with so much potential to stretch it's boundaries. Residential high rises will be a + for this area.Can't wait to the vista is completely developed and has  the same opportunities that 5pts have except residential high rises because the height restrictions killed that.  I would love to see a late night Movie theather developed in 5pts.