The problem parking lot at Liberty and Smithfield is no longer a problem. The entire lot has been fenced in, presumably so they can start construction on the African American Cultural Museum. Also gone are the planters, which had been serving as de facto park benches.
So the guys who have been running drugs and hookers out of that lot will have to find a new spot.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Do Boutiques fit in Downtown retail?
Read this story in the Tribune about boutique stores and how they fit into the Downtown retail scene. That's obviously worked in other places like Walnut Street in Shadyside and Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. Would it work Downtown?
Obviously the parking issue is big. Then there's the matter of whether stores would be clustered to create a zone of boutiques. I don't think it works if there's one boutique amid the usual clutter of fast food places and office buildings.
The obvious market for Downtown business is people who work in the area, and those who live Downtown, once that gets up and running. Is it enough to sustain a business? We know that Downtown can't simply duplicate what people get in malls that offer free parking and a multitude of stores under one roof.
Obviously the parking issue is big. Then there's the matter of whether stores would be clustered to create a zone of boutiques. I don't think it works if there's one boutique amid the usual clutter of fast food places and office buildings.
The obvious market for Downtown business is people who work in the area, and those who live Downtown, once that gets up and running. Is it enough to sustain a business? We know that Downtown can't simply duplicate what people get in malls that offer free parking and a multitude of stores under one roof.
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