Four New Prayers for Crookston!

One Prayer answered, Two need more Prayers, and add Four!

That community leaders prioritize developing housing and businesses downtown, Answered!

That the banks of Crookston reconsider sponsoring an affordable housing program grant application for the Union Building, the missing piece to the funding package.

That a developer comes forth to develop housing in the former Professional Building. 

That all of Crookston and area artists show up for the “Artspace” events.

That “Artspace” will choose to develop the Wayne/Palace Hotel.

Strengthen the hearts of Polk County Board Commissioners to endure the Wayne/Palace problem a bit longer.

That our younger generations speak up and encourage us when we are sad, apathetic, negative, or avoiding difficult problems.

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The Heart of the Problem

The heart of the problem is this: 'Downtown revitalization is essentially a real estate exercise: to make a downtown 'succeed' economically, there needs to be enough sales activity taking place there to generate sales levels high enough for the businesses to afford the rent levels that property owners need to rehabilitate and maintain their buildings.

 

Kaddatz Artists Lofts, Fergus Falls, MN developed by "Artspace!"

Sales --> Rents --> Maintenance and Rehabilitation' (Kennedy Lawson Smith) How do we do this is the question. Historic Preservation for housing is one way, a proven way, a green way, and one that may just 'salvage' downtown.

Encouraging the growth and activities of the Fine Arts is another proven method.  Watch this space for news of the upcoming "Artspace" 2-Day Visit to Crookston!  America's Leading Nonprofit Real Estate Developer for the Arts / Artspace's Mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists + arts orgs!

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Nine Reasons to Develop Downtown Crookston

1. Downtowns are an extremely efficient land use form.
2. Downtowns represent an enormous amount of investment already in place.
3. A downtown's historic buildings provide a distinctive market identity for the community.
4. Downtowns attract and cultivate independent, locally-owned, businesses.
5. Downtowns create new jobs.
6. Downtown development minimizes air pollution.
7. Downtowns are true civic places.
8. Downtown revitalization is the ultimate form of recycling.
9. Downtowns are places where true innovation often occurs.

from "Why Downtowns (Should) Matter to Planning Commissioners" by Kenneth Lawson Smith

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