Suppose the condos won't happen this time around. Surely a shock to the system - yet if this hasn't been considered as a possibility from Day One: the dread learning-curve must be steep and painful by necessity.
Nelson Commons...
But with this one door closing another one opening thing - follow me through the one ajar now..... well, at least have a peek!
The store has to be built - irregardless like - so build it now and build it up to its ceiling/roof as planned; all lower regions like parking as planned. Keeping future development from the roof up in mind: structurally the roof so sound as to carry whatever development then.
Or a song and dance now!
So now we have a large flat roof - and here comes the Nelson Commons. After all! Up on the roof!
With...
this space the cultural universe on which Deirdrie Lang got us hooked initially: a space for performances, demonstrations, presentations, classes, exhibits, dances, etc. Lots of etc!
A multi-use space - its basic components, building-blocks allowing for easy reconfiguration: like staging, seating. Part of it under a trellis supporting quick-climbing flora like morning-glories as shelter from the sun, backdrop for performances. A light, simply attachable cover as shelter against sudden rain. A railing around the whole, with vertical posts part of it to support lighting/sound-systems. Strings of colorful theme/seasonal lanterns/lights - all around and across - always visible from a distance, inviting.
Different parts/services within this process sponsored by local businesses - not only because they are community-minded, but also because ultimately they will gain through increased activity downtown.
Right now...
a huge, most fantastic, brightly lit, visible and audible from afar Christmas (tree) extravaganza in its center. Different musical groups, choirs performing appropriate music - during the day and early evening until the store closes. Again - sponsored.
The Co-op hosting season-defined events: ski-swaps, a Christmas market.
And during the year...
Kootenay Co-op Radio using this space as venue to showcase local music of any kind - regularly scheduled. Theatrical performances. And dances - from swing over pop to whatever moves you! From teens to seniors - theme dances. Kids stuff. All done within regulation-time - not to frighten the horses.
Establishing traditions-to-become...
like in San Francisco this year the 71st annual rose-show was held again on Mother's Day, with - years ago - a blind person judging roses by their fragrance. We could have something(s) like it. Best-pie contests! Largest-squash contests! Anything-spring/summer/fall/winter contests! Theme-weeks! International-food days! Flea-markets!
Creative provincial/federal holiday-celebrations.
Think/imagine old-time commons-events!
And promoting well-being...
Qi Gong, Yoga, Pilates, meditation - on a rotating regular basis in the very early morning. Tourist drop-ins welcome. Chess, scrabble - you name it!
Together!
1.
The Co-op with its own and sponsored events; Selkirk and the KSA; the street-market people; youth/seniors groups; groups of various cultural backgrounds; performance groups; clubs.
2.
City Council coming to life this time around, taking a proactive interest. While keeping the Cultural Development Committee at careful arm's length - they tend to take over and don't bleed like only community-driven organizations can: running it on passion.
3.
Bringing the Columbia Basin Trust and other funding-sources into the mix for help with financing the physical construct of the Through the Roof! concept. A smaller, less formal, financially more easily doable performance-space than the Capitol. Primarily where to nudge and nurture emerging talent: a testing-ground. But not exclusively.
Private enterprise, community groups, City Hall, cultural-funding organizations co-operating on common ground. Can-do community-building!
On this scale, with this abundance: uniquely Nelson! Ideas communally expressed and celebrated creatively: identity!
Through the Roof!
Regular events are scheduled for the year to come - this info-as-a-whole made available far-and-wide by the area-tourism people and Visitor Center. A tourist-magnet - sorely needed to get them to come. Once here - we feed them culturally! In the evening too, when we currently have absolutely nothing going to keep them in town.
Cultural tourists and cultural locals - a win-win!
Aside from the concept itself, ideas in this post are just sparks - taking it Through the Roof! is up to all of us!
A great start to a true Commons. But I do hope for housing, cooperative housing, and even a few cooperative businesses, both existing and newly formed with the Co-op's assistance.
ReplyDeleteDick Vission
Maybe Nelson is just dead.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that should be the next branding project:
Nelson: Dead. Was Once Something. Destroyed by Mindless Self-Absorbed Yuppie Assholes Who Thought They Could Buy Taste.
Suppose the condos won't happen (this time around).
ReplyDeleteKarma.