The Renaissance Box is a prime example -- probably THE prime example -- of a space that helps building community downtown. The coffeeshop, theater, Sibley Bike Depot, lounge club, small office and writer's area, small shops, and terrific office tenants all make for a truly unique space. This is the kind of space that pushes people together to create something new, something better together. As Chair of the downtown district council's Residents Committee, I hear these concerns time and again. Attractive housing at reasonable prices lures people downtown, but what is going to KEEP people coming and staying downtown? What will sustain the housing boom?
Somewhere, deep in the Renaissance Box is one of the keys to downtown's future. Look at all of the planning that has gone into downtown's future over the last few years. The Downtown Development Strategy (2003), framed its recommendations on the central idea that downtown should be, "a place where ideas, technology and creative talents can interact," part of a "creative winter city". It seems no building better embodies the concept than the Renaissance Box, and only a couple match it.
So much of downtown consists of private spaces which keep people from lingering, getting together, coming up with something new. Most downtown buildings, shops, and much of the skyway, lock at about 5:30. Most nights, even our Library isn't open. There is only one other building with anywhere near as much potential in bringing people together downtown in a public space. The Northern Warehouse Artist Co-op houses a number of similarly diverse and creative spaces - artists, the Black Dog, a Gallery, and a Japanese restaurant. Even though it is similarly in a corner of Lowertown and downtown, it serves as THE hub for the Lowertown Community. When the neighborhood surrounding the Renaissance Box is complete, it will serve a similar function for the Wacouta Commons neighborhood downtown -- right now buildings across the street in two directions are under construction, and there are plans in the works and spaces for many, many more.
I believe we should do all we can to give this building a chance to realize its potential - I for one have been thinking about what I could do. I hope City leaders and others roll up their sleeves, and work together creatively to ensure the economics of this building work. Once the housing construction subsides, and the dust settles, I can only hope that the Renaissance Box will still be there to serve as an anchor and welcome mat for our newest downtown neighbors. It will be a great loss of time and talent should we allow the creative enterprise to become just another mainly closed building before the neighbors even move in.
Bob Spaulding Downtown Resident
Speaking for Myself
Visit them: www.renbox.com
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