Arts District
Submitted by civil on July 18, 2009 - 1:20pm
I suppose all of you are aware of the push to create an Arts District in Englewood with the theater as the central show piece. Here is the consultant;s idea for a PR piece to advertise it:
• Visitors to Independence’s Truman historic sites and other attractions should allow time for the city’s newest addition to the cultural landscape: the Englewood Cultural District features a lively and eclectic mix of galleries, retail shops and eateries, anchored by an historic Art Deco movie theater and the Puppetry Arts Institute. The four-block commercial strip evokes the overall feel of 1950s Americana, brought back to life with an artistic flair. The pedestrian-friendly district, only a mile or so from Independence Square, features regular special events (“Third Thursday Gallery Hops”), film festivals and screenings (Monster Movies at 10 on weekend evenings), and studios-galleries where visitors can meet and observe artists in action. The Changing Seasons flower shop, in an historic 1930s building, is known for its wide array of unique gifts. Free trolley service during the spring-summer tourist season connects Englewood with the city’s other historic sites.
It sounds to me like this is a perfect fit for Western Independence. I don't know exactly where the planning stands, but it sounds like something the blog could get behind and help become a reality. The final report should be out soon. Anyone interested should contact Tom Lasnak at ICED.
- civil's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Filed under:
Comments
I'm one of the folks who was interviewed by that consultant. Sounds like that Monster Movie idea was practically straight out of my mouth.
I also meet monthly with several Englewood and Maywood merchants to plan and execute improvement ideas.
I realize that as you drive or walk through Englewood right now, the idea of it becoming an Arts District is a "bit of a stretch". There are several businesses in there that just don't fit. There are several landlords in there who are uncooperative with efforts to "spruce up" their buildings.
I think the best thing everybody can do here RIGHT NOW to help the area is to pick out one or two stores a month in the area to visit. Give them your business. And just look around, while you're there, and talk with people.
Just 50 people doing that would, I think, encourage the merchants, help raise awareness of just what nice things are there, and keep our money here in Independence.
I try to visit Curt's Market during every off-shift from work and buy their lunch special. (I absolutely love their roast beef with horseradish cheese sandwich! And their brownies...when they have them.)
The Englewood Business Association has a "friends of" level of membership. I am one such paid member. At one of their meetings, we met at the fairly-new Green Dog Art Gallery.
Now, I usually resist going to art galleries or anything "artsy", mostly because I have very traditional / classic tastes.... and those kinds of places tend to have a more "modern" / off-the-wall reputation. But when we were there in the Green Dog, I did spot a few things that... to my surprise... not only did I like them... they were also something I could afford! (I was seriously considering some of the hand-made jewelry for my wife.)
So, visit the area, pick out a few places that appeal to you. (And I apologize for those that don't. I personally can't stand the fact that there's one of those "ultimate fighter" / kickboxing sorts of places in Englewood. That sort of business, while it may appeal to many of the young men in the surrounding neighborhoods, it just doesn't fit in with Englewood's architecture and the fact that the area tends to appeal to an older crowd.)
Will it become a successful art district?
Who knows, but we certainly are trying! I know that there are plans to put metal sculptures of trees up near a few of the brick crosswalk areas through Englewood. And we're currently working with the Independence School District to have light-pole banners with various "Character Plus" program phrases put up along Winner Road. So, there are a lot of little things going on. And we certainly could use your support!
I do NOT own a business in the area. I'm just a neighbor who decided to commit to helping those two business districts improve in any way I can.
By the way, I have to put in one last "plug": If you've never been to Englewood's "Mystik Pumpkin Festival" with the kids, you're missing out on something! They offer tons of TOTALLY FREE activities for the kids that day (usually the Saturday of the week before Halloween). Some of the adults who run it get dressed up in costume too to interact with the kids. (I was Frankenstein two years ago and I made my own Robocop costume for last year!)
.....I can visualize it.......one of the best ideas for Independence that I've heard ........might be tough to "pull off" with a few of the stodgy landlords.......visionless.........I would HOPE that Independence would support this idea as it tries to evolve...........I am reminded of the charm of "Eureka Springs".........with it's quaint "eaterys" and "art shops".........if they could somehow "channel" what types of businesses are there?.........the end result would probably amaze the current landlords and business owners at the amount of renewed interest and money input that would be generated.........the ability to adapt is what keeps anything alive..........
eldoggg
Normal
0
The prob here is the community, since everyone who could leave, left, the area is old people stuck and new comers who are mostly Hispanic???
And the biggest prob with these artsy fartsy deals is they bank on richo's form others places commin for and event???
Once a year wine and movie, art show etc….
The locals who live here could care less, they like MMA fights and car shows and fiestas???
I would wish them well but I don’t think the area will support it ???
Most Hispanic communities are more anti Gay than Caucasians?
And the Artsy group are lead by the light in the loafer group???
Seam like making Vinegar & Oil dressing? U can do it, if U work hard?
But when U turn Ur back they go back where they started??????
I wouldn’t put $$$$$$$$$ there…
Get the Artsy group up on the square, where they will fit in??
Percentage-wise, there aren't THAT many Hispanics over here. Walk the neighborhoods, go door-to-door with flyers and you figure that out. It's not like we're talking 40-50%+ here. There are a lot of white people in the neighborhoods, some black, some Samoan, and I can think of at least one neighbor who's of Hispanic heritage, but he's very much middle-class.
And there are several young white families in our area. Since the school district change, it seems like a few more such families are moving in.
The merchants in Englewood are already trying to attract people from outside of the area... turn it into a "destination". They've been telling me that for years. But I think there's a shot at them getting some business from new young families too. Not everybody in the area is poor. Winner Road has always been known for being "mixed income".
If you do some reading on urban redevelopment, you'll find that yes, the pattern is typically that the "early adopters" may be from rich, young outsiders... and yes, a percentage from the homosexual community. They are the first to appreciate the older homes, the first quaint shops, and the potential of an area. However, after that, if the area continues to be attractive to outsiders, you'll often see more mainstream populations arrive, especially young families. And its the new families bringing their children, their businesses, and their "fresh blood" into such neighborhoods that help them make a come-back.
Normal
0
I have said before I grew up in Sheffield area just to west of Maywood, Englewood etc, My mom was born in Mt Washington, and is in the Cemmatary with my Dad and most of our family…
My last Cousin lived by Bud Park and I took care of her and then sold her house after she passed… I was amazed at how quickly that neighbor went from Old white, to mixed to complete Hispanic??? About 8 years??? It’s NOT a bad neighbor hood just mostly Hispanic… Remember I spent years takin mission trips to Mexico, I love the Culture, the real culture not the drug dealers…
They are or can be a solid community…
And the area there on Winner Rd could do a lot worse…
I would like to see a smart Hispanic person run for council???? That would put Indep on it’s ear………
Oh thank you mminnoe, all knowing, great wizard.
..........well......if you're gonna have an "Emerald City"........that IS going to require the services of a "large headed " wizard................ROFL............who ELSE can give the "tin man" a heart?.......or the "scarecrow" a brain.........I keep on clicking my heels......but I keep on ending up on 39th street.......
eldoggg
Missed you too, what lit a fire under your tailfeathers?
........... ha ha ha ha ha..........I AM laughing today..........that's all I could ask for.........the average child laughs up to hundred or two times a day.......the average adult laughs less than 3 times a day........what does tHAT tell you?...........the pressures of ife.........even the Bible tells us that the lack of laughter and joy " dries our bones.".......making us "old & brittle"............the comedy on this blog is far better than most of the worthless shows on TV.......even though I have it on in the background.......
eldoggg
Hey, I'm glad to see you have a sense of humor.
.......nature has a way of making rivers take their course.......from opposition.......and this idea will probably go the same route........"another direction"........maybe another idea would be to make Englewood like the quaint town of Playa del Carmen.............evrybody likes Mexican food........like a "Chinatown"........only Hispanic.......largest growing group of people anyway......so there would be no shortage of "supporters"...........lots of bright colored restaurants..........maybe I'm insane........maybe we should just watch it continue to go the route of so many areas.......to blight ..........and boarded up buildings.........I'm not sure WHAT the Independence community WOULD support...........one things is for sure........they'r e gonna try hockey.......although it's an EXPENSIVE gamble............unless they have alternative ideas for that arena.....as far as " an artsy district being largely supported by "light in the loafers?"............ROFL...........judging by the tomatoes and bottles being hurled at my cage from the bloggers?............there should be PLENTY of support in THAT department.......as I was so aptly informed a while ago?........the world would be a nicer place if EVERYBOY was as nice as gay and lesbian people.......so take THAT you "mean heterosexual sociopath".........
eldoggg
I think Ur on to somethin ???
Cinco de Miao festas losts of painted up sorte fronts, street fairs????
Right on! I vote Mexican food.
Mminnoe, who ever you been talkin to, that sure was a good one. Where do you get your information? I laughed and laughed at this one, it is your best! I have copied and framed!
That would be an excellent fit for Englewood. Open a couple of small cafes and even turn some of the buildings in the area into loft-type apartments.
That would be the shot of energy that area needs.