Moving at the Speed of Big Business...
posted December 12th, 2007 at 2:46 pm by rich
For those of you out in the Ether outside of Santa Fe...
There is a huge construction project bringing yet another Big Box store to a great little downtown area - The Santa Fe Railyard.
Our Studios are located right next to this construction, and we have been subject to "Dumptruck Fade" on our power, our Internet connection...and everything else.
So, A Thousand Apologies for the stream interruptions of late! We all hope this was the last of the problems...but who knows...We'll keep you posted as best as possible, and...
Thanks for Listening!! Spread the Love...
Rich
The IT Guy
Comments
Construction not necessarily big box
December 22nd, 2007 at 3:43 pm — sean1303Rich,
While I don't doubt that the extensive construction (which is actually many different construction sites at once) in the railyard has brought technical problems for you and indie 101.5, I do disagree with your characterization of the end results.
First, I don't know what part of the railyard area (which stretches from Sambusco Center to Baca street, in one way or another) Indie is next to, but not all the construction will result in a big box store. The term "big box" means something like Wal-mart, Home Depot, Circuit City, Target, or a large Grocery store chain. By contrast, some of the things we will be getting will be a new building for the youth-directed art project Warehouse 21, a cooperative (owned by the consumers) outdoor store (REI), a permanent home for the Santa Fe Farmer's Market, and many other local businesses and non-profits.
While I don't necessarily like the development model that the city chose for the railyard (maximize profit for the city, instead of maximise use for the community), I think that the end result will undoubtedly be an improvement over the semi-abandoned land that we have had up to date. Hopefully, the multiplex theatre, realty offices, and the inevitable galleries that I will rarely use will be outweighed by the stuff that I personally want. Others will be glad to see a theatre they can walk to, and may not care if there is a farmer's market.
Meanwhile, I hope you are coping with the construction, which at least seems to be on a fast track, which will maybe limit the time you have to suffer through "dumptruck fade"
Sean Knight
Santa Fe, NM, USA
Hurray Discussion!
December 24th, 2007 at 12:26 pm — richHowdy Sean!
Thanks for the cogent commentary!
You are absolutely correct: the Railyard plans *do* contain many great Community-oriented projects such as the SFFM and W21 (we're working with them on getting their own Station up, and exploring co-location options in fact!).
However, REI in particular is arguably considered a big-box store with regard to the economic impact they have on the communities they land in (several references available via the Santa Fe Business Alliance - www.sfalliance.com). There are other shops already being looked at or reserved that are definately national chain/big-bix stores (Cold-Stone Creamery, etc.) Admittedly, I haven't followed the progress recently, so I do not know what the latest tenant list is in the big project next to our studio...
I feel the more important issue in this situation is not REI's status as a big-box or not...but rather, the method by which this project was "sold" to Santa Fe. There was specific verbiage in the plans for the Railyard development that was supposed to give preference and focus to locally-owned businesses. Unfortunately, the locally owned Developers choose to exploit a loophole whereby *they* are the primary Lessees of the properties (thus meeting the requirement), and they are now able to sub-lease to national chains (or local businesses) free of any restrictions.
The impact of this sleight-of-hand has already been felt: Wild Mountain Outfitters as chosen to close its doors after many years in Santa Fe for, among other reasons, the formidible (and some would say unfair) competition REI will bring. There are/were roughly 5 locally-owned outdoor stores within a mile or two of the REI building site. They all pay around twice per square foot what REI will pay as part of their deal with Mr. Branch and his Development company. So much much for preference to local businesses.
From a Warehouse21 perspective, I know that they have had their challenges with the Developers as weel, being forced into co-locations with a bar and other facilities that negatively impact their fundraising ability. Its tough all the way around...But at leats they will have a long-term lease with the City, and they'll get to grow with new and bigger space!
At any rate...Thanks for the kind words, and the great discussion! I wholeheartedly agree that just about anything will be better than urban abandonment...but I wish the local developers hadn't done the "shuck-and-jive" on the public, and truly worked harder to support local businesses...which helps our Community much more than national chains.
Happy Holidays and See Ya at the Market!
Rich The IT Guy