|
|
|
Articles
|
| District seeks to encourage bohemian class |
VOICE writes, "District seeks to encourage bohemian class
BY ELIZABETH WIENER
District planning officials want to jump on the "creative economy" bandwagon that is fueling economic development in other once-distressed urban areas. But while Washington has an abundance of artists, intellectuals and start-up entrepreneurs, it lacks the abandoned industrial buildings other cities are using to house them.
At a "creative economy summit" earlier this month, city officials brainstormed with their counterparts from other cities on how to nurture and build the "creative class" here. The summit was the first step in a so-called "Creative Action Agenda," led by the city's Office of Planning, aimed at using the creative class as an economic development tool. "
|
"Creative-class" has become a popular catch phrase of late. Popularized by economist Richard Florida, it encompasses artists, musicians, media, tech experts and what he calls "high bohemians" who are attracted to urban areas and can rejuvenate neighborhoods by attracting more of their own kind and shops and cultural attractions to serve them.
While manufacturing jobs are dwindling and being outsourced abroad, the theory goes, businesses and jobs based in the arts, design, music, technology, media and film are growing — and are especially at home in urban areas.
"Young people, mobile, college-educated — they choose the city, cities like this one, then look for a job," said Carol Coletta of CEOs for Cities, the summit's keynote speaker. "Once you know what can draw them in, you can alter your economic development approach."
"Focus not on attracting companies, but on attracting creative people," another panelist said.
In some ways, Washington already has a head start. "The District is home to some of the brightest, most innovative and creative people in the world, and it is high time we harness that collective energy," said Neil Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, who helped organize the summit.
Other cities have already formalized plans to build their creative classes. Miami used its zoning regulations to create museum districts; Kansas City offers targeted tax incentives; and Boston has a specialized economic development agency, dubbed "Create Boston," dedicated to the theme.
The most intriguing initiative discussed at the summit is taking place in Brooklyn and largely involves the private sector.
As developer Jed Walentas described it, "Dumbo" (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) was a gritty warehouse district on the Brooklyn waterfront that has become one of the most sought-after commercial and residential neighborhoods in New York.
Some artists had already taken advantage of the low rents and big spaces when Walentas' company, Two Trees Management, bought up many of the neglected industrial buildings and in 1998 got the zoning designation changed to mixed-use and residential. Huge warehouse spaces were converted to luxury condos, offices and artist studios, and the area quickly attracted a critical mass of galleries, boutique shops, and start-up art, photo, fashion and design businesses, he said.
The trick was to keep rents low enough for the artists and young entrepreneurs, even as Dumbo moved quickly upscale. Though many condos are in the luxury range, Walentas said his company also subsidizes some rents to keep the artists who made the neighborhood so lively in the first place. Dumbo also sponsors frequent art and cultural festivals.
The thriving creative community in Boston is served by a city economic development agency, Create Boston, which focuses on the video game and new media industries. Another mission, said Carole Walton, who heads the agency, is securing affordable housing for artists.
In Minneapolis, a group called Artspace was originally formed to advocate for artists living in warehouse districts, many of them "squatting" in buildings not zoned for residential use. "Creative businesses — galleries, wine bars — followed the artists. But then the artists were gentrified out of neighborhoods they created," said Stacey Mickelson of Artspace.
The organization now works to create affordable housing for artists around the country, either in new or converted buildings. Artspace is working with Dance Place in the District's Brookland neighborhood to develop a mixed-used project that will include 30 to 40 affordable "live/work units for artists" and a new home for the dance group, Mickelson said.
As for other plans for the District, officials at the summit were vague. They said the Planning Office's study will identify ways the city can "leverage" its creative class to change neighborhoods and make the economy more vibrant.
The city's new Comprehensive Plan sets as goals for next year a review of building and zoning codes to allow joint living and work quarters for artists, and use of zoning overlays to promote arts districts. In 2010, according to the plan, the District will "develop a marking and branding campaign" to identify Washington as a center for creativity and innovation.
|
Posted on Sep 26, 2007 08:11am.
(Return)
|
|
|
|
|
Categories
|
|
|
