05-07-2011, 11:15 PM
Danno Wrote:I ran across a couple of posts that are critical of the Artspace in Brainerd Mn.
Should we be concerned?
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Yes, we all should be concerned...thus far all the great downtown projects have been flops. The Genesee theatre has not been a catalyst for the revival of downtown, the new building across from the Genesee has not attracted any tenants and soon to be foreclosed, the old Wendy's was remodeled for a new restaurant theat never materialzed, the retail space in the new parking garage is still empty, the big condo project failed to gain enough purchasers to get over a threshold and be built, and lakeview Tower is in receivership with only a few owners.
Given the lack of success of any project downtown we should be concerned that the Karcher/Artspace project will turn out to be a section 8 success story , just like Julian Towers. The organization that is spearheading the project locally is the Waukegan Arts Council whose Board of Directors is filled with people from WDA/Mainstreet, which despite their self promotion, is a failure at acheiving any success.
I am concerned, very concerned, and so should all citizens who love this city.