Why Not Penacook?

writes in Monday’s that “The idea of an incubator, cheap working space shared by startup companies, focused on the arts in Concord, dates back to 2008.” He also writes about a consultant based survey and report that was circulated last year. Leubsdorf finishes with statements that list areas in an our downtown to locate the arts incubator.

Here’s what I wrote in June 2011:

“Once again Penacook doesn’t exist for those looking to expand and diversify the arts community in Concord. For more then a decade I have made numerous suggestions for expanding the arts community to our city’s north end. I recently wrote a letter to the editor (regarding a survey for a place for artists to live and display their work) and implored the surveys creator not to exclude Penacook from the mix. While I was assured that no location had been settled on (or excluded) it appears that the Menino project was already well into the planning stages of setting aside 50% of the apartments for artists, before the survey was released. Fait accompli? I think so.”

To add insult to injury the idea of a mixed business, arts incubator was suggested years ago when the city was seeking suggestions for the reuse of the old Penacook Tannery building. In fact, I suggested modeling the artist’s incubator after the Torpedo Factory in Old Town, Va.,  just a few Metro stops south of Washington, D.C.

The fact that Byron Champlin’s (the chairman of the ) committee continues to rule Penacook out of the running makes little sense from a purely economic sense. Would you rent space to startups and starving artists in the highest rent/tax district in the city (our downtown) or would you look to an area that has more affordable space and would welcome with open arms this opportunity (Penacook)?

Why would Concord want to segregate the arts community to only one section of our city? Wouldn’t it make sense to spread out the wealth, so to speak. Aren’t there other areas in our city that would benefit? And wouldn’t those other areas provide benefits to the startups and artists that our downtown would find difficult to provide, like affordable space.

Here’s how I finished my article: 

“As a 21 year resident of the Manor/Penacook, I can tell you that all we are looking for is to be treated equitably. While we have finally seen new development on the (thanks in part to and the city’s involvement) all too often we are left feeling that this is the exception to the rule. So once again I am pleading with you to consider Penacook equally and fairly when economic generating projects are being proposed. We have a lot offer up here and all we need is a level playing field to prove it.”

I am still imploring those who are promoting this project to take a look at Penacook. We have two schools, a firehouse, and the old Rivco site that are just begging for tenants. Easy access to I-93. A Main Street with empty storefronts and great landlords. And of course we have great folks here in this end of town.

To the folks at the , last time I checked Penacook was still part of Concord. So lower your chins, get your noses out of that rarefied air and take a look at our great Village.