Good San Marco news

[Captain Zissou]

So Sunking, Hurricane wings is too far away from the square to include in the list, but you are considering the Roosevelt square mall in your definition of Riverside/Avondale? That seems fair. In addition to the number of bars and restaurants that Ennis was able to quickly list (he missed the expansion of high tide burrito and Parlor), I was also thinking about the recent projects that have been spearheaded by the neighborhood groups to make the area safer and better. For example, the groundswale project at the SM library and the improved pedestrian connections for children biking to Landon middle school. The San Marco square park is a just another item in a long list of positive steps for the neighborhood.

In the past year (I know because I lived over there at the time), R/A has had the garage, dhalia's, black sheep, and derby open up. The only one that received any assistance from RAP was maybe Derby. dhalia's can tell you their Rap horror stories and blak sheep was outright opposed by the neighborhood, but was able to open despite that opposition. The now famous MM debacle is another example of the neighborhood working against it's small business owners. Alpha Dog cited rap as a reason they were forced to close. 

Thank you for assuming that I don't know what I'm talking about, but I believe you are the one who is mistaken in this instance.

[Tacachale]

I recently had a conversation with two friends who own businesses in San Marco and Riverside that reminded me of this thread. The one in Riverside plans to add outdoor street-front seating to his business, which is in a non-contributing building. This would be a definite benefit to that street, but the plan was held up for over a year while RAP and city zoning duked it out over the type of fencing he could put around it. Meanwhile, the guy over in San Marco couldn't have had a more different experience. He got nothing but support and enthusiasm from SMPS and residents in general, and much effective help from his city councilperson, Lori Boyer. There's certainly a need to maintain the neighborhood, in Riverside as in anywhere, but there has to be a better way to do it than tying up someone's business for a whole year when they try to do something new and positive.

[Debbie Thompson]

I recently had a conversation with two friends who own businesses in San Marco and Riverside that reminded me of this thread. The one in Riverside plans to add outdoor street-front seating to his business, which is in a non-contributing building. This would be a definite benefit to that street, but the plan was held up for over a year while RAP and city zoning duked it out over the type of fencing he could put around it. Meanwhile, the guy over in San Marco couldn't have had a more different experience. He got nothing but support and enthusiasm from SMPS and residents in general, and much effective help from his city councilperson, Lori Boyer. There's certainly a need to maintain the neighborhood, in Riverside as in anywhere, but there has to be a better way to do it than tying up someone's business for a whole year when they try to do something new and positive.

+1

While HPC argues about where to put ATM's and landscaping in a non-contributing spot in Riverside for a year, Springfield houses are coming down in "emergency" demolitions.  Get a grip.  Yes, historic preservation is important...very important.  Yes, ambiance is important...very important.  I completely agree.  But move it along.  Figure it out and be reasonable.

And then help those who are struggling.  :-)

[fieldafm]

I recently had a conversation with two friends who own businesses in San Marco and Riverside that reminded me of this thread. The one in Riverside plans to add outdoor street-front seating to his business, which is in a non-contributing building. This would be a definite benefit to that street, but the plan was held up for over a year while RAP and city zoning duked it out over the type of fencing he could put around it. Meanwhile, the guy over in San Marco couldn't have had a more different experience. He got nothing but support and enthusiasm from SMPS and residents in general, and much effective help from his city councilperson, Lori Boyer. There's certainly a need to maintain the neighborhood, in Riverside as in anywhere, but there has to be a better way to do it than tying up someone's business for a whole year when they try to do something new and positive.

Couldn't agree more. 

[tufsu1]

It is important to note that Riverside-Avondale is a national historic district...San Marco is not

[thelakelander]

Historic district or not, time is money in the business world. Hopefully, that issue has been resolved. It should not take a year to approve a fence/outdoor seating in any setting.

[MEGATRON]

It is important to note that Riverside-Avondale is a national historic district...San Marco is not

So what?  Is that a reason to delay expansion of a business for over a year?  RAP has zero authority to hold up approval of a request in the overlay.  Unfortunately, various City departments employ RAP members or board members, which seems to me to be a pretty serious ethical violation.  Why do the Planning Department and HPC feel the need to receive RAP's approval on any action taken in Riverside Avondale?  No other not for profit in this city has that type of pull.

[tufsu1]

It is important to note that Riverside-Avondale is a national historic district...San Marco is not

So what? 

It means that approvals of things can, and usually do, take longer

[MEGATRON]

It is important to note that Riverside-Avondale is a national historic district...San Marco is not

So what? 

It means that approvals of things can, and usually do, take longer

But they should not take an extra year, would you not agree?  Especially for the project discussed above.  Sadly, the primary reason approvals take longer in Riverside Avondale is RAP.

[Dog Walker]

RAP opposed to Blacksheep?  LoL!  Concerns and conversations, yes.  One of Blacksheep's partners is on the RAP board now and President of the 5 Points Merchants Assn.  Class act on all sides.

Blacksheep is a great example of how conversation and cooperation between businesses and neighborhood organizations makes a great combination.

Alpha Dog was making excuses for a bad business plan and being arrogant and insensitive to the problems they were creating with their neighbors.  Can't serve outside so we went out of business?  Whine, whine, whine!  Pobrocito. BS!

[Dog Walker]

Spin away, Stephen.  Doesn't change the facts on the ground. Jonathon didn't have to have more money than anyone else.  He had good sense and wanted to make as many people happy with his businesses as possible.  "What can we do to fit in here."  Good attitudes, good discussions, reasonable people on both sides.  Good compromises, no hangovers.

Ever heard of any problems with Orsay and the neighbors?

Hot dogs and beer and bad music don't make a business in a bad location, but none of us likes to admit we goofed.

Let it be.

[Dog Walker]

RAP has as many diverse opinions in it as this forum does and just because some members howled like dogs with their tales stepped on doesn't change the actions and opinions of the majority of the board in that organization that has welcomed Blacksheep into the neighborhood.

Because of the size and scale it scared a lot of people at first, but Jonathon and Allan did a great job of explaining and selling the concept.  They are good people and the good people in RAP, who are not the loudest, worked together very well.  Lots of respect on both sides and a great outcome.

RAP is currently working on a plan to improve the pedestrian safety and access in 5 Points for the benefit of allthe businesses.  They are not the anti-business, window police that you are trying to paint them.

You like RAM?  Thank, RAP.

[MEGATRON]

Stephen and I actually agree on something.

[Tacachale]

Historic district or not, time is money in the business world. Hopefully, that issue has been resolved. It should not take a year to approve a fence/outdoor seating in any setting.

Yes, exactly. The issue has been resolved and is moving forward and hopefully all involved will be satisfied with the result, especially my friend and his customers. This wasn't only an issue with RAP, there was a disagreement between RAP and the zoning department, and the owner was left swinging in the wind for a year and getting no help. Yes, Riverside is a historic district, but it's a non-contributing structure and opening up that storefront with outside seating is an enhancement to that street. A year of dispute over a fence. That's just too long for a business owner to be out of the loop on their own project.

Both my friends had issues with the city which are far more problematic, but they had very different experiences with their respective neighborhoods. I brought it up as San Marco seems to have struck a good balance between preservation and planning, and encouraging business growth. I don't think these are isolated experiences.

[MEGATRON]

Historic district or not, time is money in the business world. Hopefully, that issue has been resolved. It should not take a year to approve a fence/outdoor seating in any setting.

Yes, exactly. The issue has been resolved and is moving forward and hopefully all involved will be satisfied with the result, especially my friend and his customers. This wasn't only an issue with RAP, there was a disagreement between RAP and the zoning department, and the owner was left swinging in the wind for a year and getting no help. Yes, Riverside is a historic district, but it's a non-contributing structure and opening up that storefront with outside seating is an enhancement to that street. A year of dispute over a fence. That's just too long for a business owner to be out of the loop on their own project.

Both my friends had issues with the city which are far more problematic, but they had very different experiences with their respective neighborhoods. I brought it up as San Marco seems to have struck a good balance between preservation and planning, and encouraging business growth. I don't think these are isolated experiences.

thats the problem though. Why should a disagreement between zoning and RAP slow approval. RAP support is not necessary.