Behold the Power of Books!

I just came across the March 2008 issue of the journal Public Management (agreed, it is not exactly Maxim, but I'm an economist, ok). That issue includes an article by Beth Pollard entitled "Libraries: Partners in Sustaining Communities. The author starts out with "Today's libraries are: ... A civic and economic anchor that attracts not only residents but the small businesses that they frequent, such as dry cleaners, grocers, drug stores, coffee shops and more." Wow, I have long argued that the number one thing an inner-ring suburb can do to revitalize a declining retail area is build a new library or (if they don’t need one) expand the existing library with a satellite in the declining area. And these strategies can be really cheap if, like most older suburbs, the retail infrastructure is way larger than what the market will support. Most mid-century strip malls are struggling because later full service malls and big box stores provide more attractive retail experiences for lots of the goods people buy today. As a result, older strip malls can be twice the size today’s market will support.

But I had primarily thought of libraries as something that brought a steady stream of local citizens to an area as a way of creating social energy that would attract other people and start a virtuous circle that could create a sense of place to the city and begin the revitalization process. What Pollard argues is that the benefits can be more significant. She adds: “In addition to the library’s role in supporting small businesses by providing research, databases, and seminars, a library can serve as a business attraction and retention function… A well used library brings a high level of pedestrian traffic… Some new libraries are part of mixed-use developments, with condominiums above and stores on the street level. The appeal of having everything in walking distance can be a great incentive for social and business activities.”

And Pollard describes how, as the best case scenario, the new Seattle library opened, its annual number of visitors jumped 299%. Of course, the Rem Koolhass designed building is an architectural tour de force. This outcome is not likely to be equaled in most cities.
At the end of the day, a new library that works not only as a repository of books, but as a community center, can bring a new focal point to a city that can generate the social energy necessary to create a much needed sense of place to declining midopolises. And if you look back at my last post, I wonder about the synergistic potential of mixing a new library with Appleseed Project type development?

Seeds of Community

Ok, for the last 20 years lots of successful places have brought people together for shopping, eating and entertainment. This social energy can create a sense of place, but in places with less income, it has its limits. At the same time, without high income levels, developers might not want to risk investing in a place that has nothing going on. At the same time, cities in the inner ring might be able to raise some cash in an attempt to get someting going, but what should they do with it? One strategy is to buy up some property, maybe combine a few parcels with different owners and then offer developers land on the cheap as an incentive to take the risk. I think a different direction needs to be considered.

The public can try to create something that brings people together without the requirement that they spend a bunch of cash. That in itself might create enough demand for other options that retail, restaurants, and entertainment might start up in the area giving even more people reason to join the fun. The trick is to create a virtuous cycle.

Small parks set up for social events, fountains kids can play in, an area available for a farmers market, a classic car show, live music, etc. would be a great idea, so long as it is centrally located in such a place where other privately funded development could sprout up. A library would be a wonderful addition. They almost guarantee a flow of people in and out of the area. What else?

The Appleseed Project (www.theappleseedproject.com) is another element that could be really useful. Appleseed is essentially a place where small business types can go once they have outgrown the dining room table, but cannot afford a traditional office. They provide all the essential business resources from desks and messages to conference rooms which can all be rented as needed (more of less). On top of that, they design these facilities with storage for anything a small business might need to store and even several storefronts for retailers and restaurants to open up shop. What is key (to me) to this concept is that 300-400 people might be using an Appleseed facility each week. That brings in traffic and social energy needed to strengthen the sense of place that I think is key to building community and rethinking our inner-ring suburbs.