This summer I had the opportunity to do some on-the-ground research in several Business Improvement Districts across the states. While visiting family I spent some time in Santa Barbara, Ventura – and Solvang, California.
A replica of the Danish Hans Christian Andersen “Little Mermaid” statue. Photo by Corina Sagun.
Today Solvang, a Danish community, is flocked with bakers, candy shoppes, danish restaurants and novelty stores. It has a small bookstore, a Hans Christian Anderson museum and is a draw for tourists from all over the states.
I remembered that a visit to Leavenworth, Washington in 2009 brought back memories of childhood of visits to Solvang, so I did a little research. My nostalgia made complete sense – the Business Improvement in Leavenworth was modeled after Solvang!
Solvang was originally inhabited by Danes and the community there is a cultural development – not unlike the Swedish St. Croix valley of Minnesota. Leavenworth is not a natural development of European immigrants – it started as an idea by the an improvement group to lure tourists and create traffic inspired by the City of Solvang’s natural charm. It worked.
How does this relate to Northeast – or arts districts and artists areas? Northeast Minneapolis is a naturally occurring artistic enclave. Brownstones were abandoned by manufacturing companies. Artists flocked to this area for its flexibility and low rent, positively revitalizing the local community. Artists and businesses here have a symbiotic relationship. Art-A-Whirl, the annual open studios tour, is a national draw.
This preliminary “Great Cities” research excites me. We don’t have to contrive obscure ways to lure people to our area. We’re already naturally and increasingly fantastic. I think the arts in Northeast is an incredible asset and we should do what we can to preserve the area for the arts and help artists stay here!
While we may gradually put up banners, create painted facades and murals for businesses, we’re never going to have to contrive a “theme†for everybody to latch on to. As we grow, we can do it in a way that embraces Northeast’s local artists and our diverse immigrant community. It will be creative and original and engaging. Leavenworth, eat your heart out. 😉
Jamie Schumacher, Northeast resident, is the Executive Director of the Northeast Community Development Corporation. She’s also the founder of Altered Esthetics and the Internet Marketing & Nonprofit Strategist of Bicycle Theory.
The Great Cities project is a collaborative research project between the NE CDC, SPARC on Rice Street, the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, University United and Lake Street Council. The project investigates the implementation process and impact of Business Improvement Districts on commercial corridors and the community.
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