When I read about the latest on the Summer Music Festival concerts Wednesday in The Lowdown, I felt I must weigh in.
The concerts, much like the Farmers Market, were put into place to take a sagging, dusty yet newly renovated Downtown and draw crowds.
The purpose was not just to bring in Culver City citizens, but rather to expose the city to those around the region. That is why the Downtown Business Assn. was formed, to help brag about an area notably neglected by the other business representative organization.
The concerts, much to the dismay of certain past City Council members, were and are a huge success.
Another example of this marketing success is the annual car show, drawing from hundreds of zip codes, and bringing regional and even national visibility to Culver City.
Not one particular component of the rebuilding of Downtown is to get credit for the success of the area, but rather all of the pieces to the puzzle.
This was a well planned and well-executed redevelopment process that, in partnership with the local businesses, is something the city can be proud of, in spite of those elected officials who took personal jabs at some of the component attempts.
In 1995, rents in Downtown were $1.05 per square foot.. Today, over $4 per square foot.
Restaurants are being recognized nationally.
The proof is in the foot traffic…
But that’s just my opinion, as usual.
Jay Handal, a former Downtown entrepreneur, may be contacted at
sgrest@aol.com
