Insulting people is not the way to make your argument.
And you know what, I do know a lot about the music business (a family member
owns a club in town), and I do know the business is in serious trouble. I also
know that Asbury Park has a bunch of empty condos already and does not need
more condos sitting empty. I know that developers do not spend money to do what
is best in the long term, they only invest to make money in the short term and
then get out. They don't do what's best for the majority unless the government
regulators force them to.
I am not naive enough to think developers are going to do something solely for
historical preservation reasons (and by the way, historic preservation needs a
viable business plan too). But tearing down a unique structure to build a
generic one that will attract a homogeneous community is not my idea of moving
forward or building a strong local economy. Businesses and renters are being
driven out by astronomical rent increases as it is. This has happened all over,
and decimates the creativity and diversity that attracted people in the first
place.
The government is responsible for the mess this city is in, and they've gotten
away with it because no one has held them accountable. Are individuals going to
come up with the political and economic capital to rebuild without some
existing infrastructure (you know, like roads, sewers, etc.) that gets
regularly maintained? Read 4th of July, Asbury Park by Daniel Wolff if you want
some history on this. Besides, the government is the authority here, not
developers. Unless they are sitting on (or should I say leaning on) the city
council, of course.
I am sorry you think so little of historic preservation. There is room for
development and for history; they need not be mutually exclusive. Cities like
Philadelphia, Boston, New York, and Washington DC are just a few examples of
how it can be done. It's only a zero sum game if you choose to make it one.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "rslnyc" <RSLNYC@...> wrote:
>
> Lisa,
>
> While I understand your emotion, you obviously know nothing about the music
> business. The Fast Lane is not a viable venue, even if it was in mint
> condition. It's about economics, not brick and mortar. Developers build
> things that are economically viable. I know, the devil is in the detail.
>
> Most of the good people in Asbury who remember the good ole days have no clue
> as to the current disaster the live music business is in. The live music
> industry has changed, drastically. It will never be the way it was in the
> 70's. That business model is busted, big time. Additionally, its not the
> city government that's going to save music in Asbury. Please stop asking
> them. They can barely pave roads, let alone save a drowning industry.
>
> I do have a solution, Lisa: YOU buy the Fast Lane, spend the 2 mil it needs
> to be rehabed, build a team of admin, tech staff, bookers and book your
> bands! You will lose your shirt, unfortunately, like every other small live
> venue in the area. But, you'll preserve all of the good feelings that are
> important and be able to tell people you are standing in the spot that Bruce
> met the Ramones - that would be cool.
>
> Signed,
>
> Russell
> Trendy Club Owner
>
> --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa" <liannucc@> wrote:
> >
> > Asbury Park: Where Music Lives??
> >
> > Except when it gets in the way of redevelopment and making the big bucks.
> > Bye bye 4th Avenue and the music venues that supported this town during the
> > really hard times..
> >
> > Once again we see that eminent domain has reared its ugly head on the
> > Jersey Shore, and this time, it seems we're biting the hand that feeds.
> >
> > Although it's been closed for a while, The FastLane is historically
> > significant as it was the first place where many artists who later played
> > the Pony got their start: John Cafferty & Beaver Brown, Jon Bon Jovi, John
> > Eddie. Not to mention all the prominent bands that played there over the
> > years. And lest we forget, it's the place where Springsteen met The
> > Ramones. Surely it deserves a better fate than the wrecking ball.
> >
> > And then there's Asbury Lanes, the coolest thing to happen to Asbury in a
> > long time, a diverse, funky joint with a loyal fan base that books a wide
> > array of bands. And Conventio Hall continues to decay.
> >
> > Where Music Lives...except we don't really want to preserve the music
> > scene, do we?
> >
> > A strong local economy comes from economic diversity, not from endless
> > condominium sales, "trendy" clubs and overpriced restaurants. Get with the
> > program-no one is going to live in Asbury if there's nothing to do...And
> > remember, by definition what's trendy today is passe tomorrow...
> >
>
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
asburypark-dig...@yahoogroups.com
asburypark-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
asburypark-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
