Rebranding FPSE |
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| Monday, 03 April 2006 | |
 I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about the topic of neighborhood rebranding. Rebranding, according to Wikipedia, is “the process by which a product or service developed with one brand or company or product line affiliation is marketed or distributed with a different identity.” The definition is heavily slanted toward the commercial sector. I’ve listened to this debate recently with an emphasis on neighborhoods. Neighborhood rebranding is a popular way to reinvent a neighborhood’s image, and many times, sweep some negative history into the sewers. New York City is famous for it, and St. Louis seems to be giving it a new run. The Grove, as it’s been called recently, is a new and hip moniker for Forest Park Southeast, and particularly for the “Manchester Strip”. I’m not at all opposed to the change. I’m happy the long dilapidated hood is getting some attention, and hell, I’ve even worked for its limelight. Back in 02′, my buddy Dave and I created a 15 minute mini-documentary on the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood and its progress at stimulating business and housing development. I’m concerned however, that one of the underlying goals of some of the new investors and developers is to systematically push a lot of the current inhabitants of the neighborhood out. Of course no one wants to put a lot of money next door to a crack house. I wouldn’t want to. No one wants to put a lot of money into a business where prostitutes solicit the patrons. I’ve heard these arguments and I’m in, but I’m not a proponent of pegging this undesirable tag onto just anybody who can’t afford to replace their roof right now. I’ve walked through Forest Park Southeast in both day and nighttime, I’ve talked with the residents, and I’ve happily shared in some of their ‘undesirable’ activity with them. I like the place. The neighborhood has a history though. Crime has been a problem; shabby dwellings are common; a lot of people are desperately poor; and yes, rocks and streetwalkers are big business. I would like to see some approachable money and investment management classes for these folks. Seriously, I want this existing culture to survive the gentrification and I want the existing families to take advantage of an opportunity to be a part of the growth. I’m talking about a humanitarian growth, where St. Louis works through its racial tangles and does some good as a City. Thank goodness for Amrit and Amy; they seem to starting be on the right path. I’m thinking I can do something this summer, maybe a small program at the Adams Park Community Center. I know exactly who to talk to. |