Station North Discussion

 

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The more I learn about Station North, the more I realize that it is not a recent issue. The podcast and the readings show, that there have been ongoing issues in Station North for at 11 years. I also find it funny that the article says "can station north save the city?"At the end of the podcast I believe Kate said that station north needs to focus on saving station north. I like that she said this because there are way too many issues to focus on, then worrying about the whole city. 

I like that in the beginning of the podcast they talked about having black developers. I never thought about who would be creating these ideas and making these changes. We have a predominantly black community, but have white developers saying what needs to happen in their community. Even they do have some black, it is something to look at.

Ben talked about how they have gone years without displacement. When asked about how they will make sure this continues, he really didn't have a plan. I would like to know how will they ensure the security of those residents who fear they will be displaced. A few of the persons on the air talked about tax credits, land trust, etc, but I would like to know about a plan that will be enforced so that residents understand that they don't need to worry. In Jensen"s article he says, "Gentrification without displacement' is the term we've been using," he says. "Gentrification is not per se a bad thing, if you define it as trying to improve an area and draw more people in. It can be a bad thing if it means displacing current residents who've lived in an area their whole lives and want to stay. We want to be able to balance the two." (Jensen)In reading the articles, I am happy that they are focused more on revitalizing, then gentrification. I know Kate talked about having a leveled process. But we have to see what would make those landlords who own buildings or those who are living there to sell or  move. I know that there are some places where prices can't increase for 50 years. I believe that was in the article by Baynard Woods. I would ask Ben what are the push and pull factors that would come during this time of revitalizing. 

A lot of the conversation focused on how they would get the residents involved and how they would make sure that this is a participatory development.  Even though they want to reach the people with murals, poetry, and other forms of art;What happens once you reach them? I would ask Ben Stone, now that they are informed what happens now? In the podcast, they talk about how it is more about the residents communicating with each other. The community needs to communicate with those in the business, developers, and those investing in these projects.

 -Shamara Owens