Well, I think there are 2 ways to look at it.
My friends aren't miserable people. Like myself, they work in the design
industry, so they
look at things with a designers eye. So, when they come to visit, and take a
look at the
place that they've heard me touting, and have been reading about, their
opinions tend to
lean toward it being just ok, not amazing. And across the board, everybody I
know can't
stand the shipping containers.
I think that gives their opinion value, because it's an unbiased opinion from
somebody
outside of our community.
I agree that there have been more people visiting this year then previously,
but, it's not
just about visiting, it's about visiting again and again.
And that's where I agree with what my friends are pointing out. High end
retailing on the
boardwalk doesn't really warrent multiple visits, and especially once the
weather gets bad.
Secondly, all of my friends have a connection to AP back to the 60's/70's and
into the 80's,
and they question why MM did away with the bandshell, and why an entire
pavilion in the
middle of the boardwalk is dedicated to MM's offices. To them, and and me, it's
a dead
zone. It's vanity offices for them, but it's not really the appropriate use of
space if you are
trying to attract people. It' just a big, white ugly hulk.
Finally, more then one of my friends laughed at the Farmers Market. This was
touted as
something that the reality didn't even come close too.
So yeah, I take their opinions seriously. They want to see AP succeed just as
much as all of
us do.
The second way to look at things is from our residents point of view.
I've lived in AP for more then 3 years, and I've seen lot's of positive change.
But, in all honesty, when I see what MM created coupled with the acres of empty
space,
and absurdly bright lighting everywhere it makes my heart sink. Is it better?
Yes. Is it as
good as it could be? No way.
Plus, I'm just not willing to slide on my opinion that MM did something
horrible by just
designing the bandshell right out of it's pavilion. I've had the pleasure to
attend quite a
few events there back when it was in use, and it was a fantastic place to see
and hear live
music. I remember a point when Jacko from The Brighton even did some shows up
there,
and there was always a nice crowd.
Now, it's a roof with AC and heating units, and I sincerely believe it's never
going to be
restored, and MM should not be allowed to get away with that.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Gabrielle Obre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Well it seems to me that the test of how "over hyped" the
> redevelopment has been would be the numbers of people showing up
> consistently over time. Right? The boardwalk was pretty crowded on
> Sunday. Obviously I don't know how much $$ is being spent but the
> crowds have been around and growing steadily. Most of what I hear is
> pleasure and excitement at being in ap. Not "oh it would be better
> if..." which brings me again to the issue of perception and how it is
> different for everyone.
>
> The perception of a malcontent is rarely "oh isn't it wonderful". Too
> bad for them. I would love to go into this more, but I need to hash
> out my thoughts more and I don't want to subject you to my exploration
> of human consciousness. In short, miserable people are miserable
> people and they like everyone to know it and think it has nothing to
> do with them.
>
> Anyone who has spent anytime in the service/retail industry knows that
> there are always going to be people who are impossible to please and
> the malcontents, like Newbie (who doesn't even visit ap regularly)
> usually have the biggest mouths. The happy ones just keep returning.
> You are also never going to please everyone and thank god most people
> aren't architects or design snobs, its jersey. And again, maybe I am
> just a white trash fool or too easy to please, but the place just
> doesn't look that bad to me, including the dang shipping containers.
>
> sorry this post is a little repetitive.
>
> I keep thinking of the "I heart NY" campaign.
>
>
>
> --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Jack Pitzer" <hinge98@> wrote:
> >
> > Ok, well, I have friends visit from NYC and Brooklyn frequently.
> > They are long time AP fans, and at least one of them used to live in
> the area.
> > From their outside point of view, they think the boardwalk
> redevelopment has been over
> > hyped, and every single one of them thinks the shipping containers
> will make the
> > boardwalk look like a perpetual work in progress.
> > One of my friends is an architect, who's also a huge critic of
> another property that
> > Rockwell designed, Zanadu in the Meadowlands.
> > He thinks that the boardwalk pavilions look out of place and
> pedestrian, and he thinks it's
> > practically criminal that MM chose to phase out the bandstand, which
> is what they appear
> > to have done, as made evident by the huge AC unit that now sits
> right next to where the
> > stage used to be.
> >
> > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Gabrielle Obre" <gabrielleobre@>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > For one reason, there is no way for us to see perspective and get a
> > > sense of his perception. perception is everything and we humans are
> > > not really good at having objective ones...yeah, it kinda is all about
> > > psychology. and we are still waiting for the proof that the
> > > redevelopment was supposed to be finished by now.
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Gabrielle Obre"
> > > <gabrielleobre@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I respectfully disagree completely. If you continuously and
> > > > inaccurately (as Tommy seems to have proven) criticize a place or
> > > > person while hiding behind anonymity, your position it impotent.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
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