Update

Today, I am planning on finishing my outline, and pulling all of my information that is needed for my paper. I hope to at least get one of my pages done for today, and continue to produce a page daily. Then when I complete at least 6-8 pages, I will get a peer edit, and get a few edits from different teachers. The main focus for the rest of the week is to:

1. Work on SketchUp Model/Video
2. Produce Layout for Website
3. Continue Work on Paper
4. Contact Staff from Cool Space (hopefully for more information)

Interview with Cherie Moshier

1. As an architect, what type of positive outcomes have you seen come from any of your commercial sites? (Such as a coffee shop, restaurant, etc.)

Most of our commercial neighborhood projects have been stores rather than ‘third places’ but increased sales and visibility are the result. Anecdotally I was told that Del’s restaurant in Bloomfield saw a 60% increase in sales when they redesigned the façade to feature traditional commercial windows etc. rather than the tiny retrofit windows they’d had for years. The Butler Street corridor in Lawrenceville is a particularly notable example of pedestrian-scaled redevelopment. Our new recreation center for Pitt is meant to fill a gap in the student community for a hangout option in a non-alcoholic setting.

2. Do any of your sites seem to be lacking the idea of fellowship within the neighborhood?
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3. Do you think third places you have planned revitalized the neighborhood in which it is located?
The Red Oak Café in Oakland filled in a missing storefront in an important section of Forbes Avenue and is giving a healthy menu option to health care and university people.

4. Do you think third places are important to a community?
For a segment of the population with some discretionary time, yes. Interestingly, both Gary and I had meetings with consultants in Panera Bread stores yesterday. For home-based business people, these are good meeting spaces.

5. What do you look for in third place that would make you a regular customer?
I have so little spare time that I don’t hang out anywhere. Proximity and a casual attitude allowing patrons to linger over a cup of coffee, comfortable seating and people-watching ability would be on my list.

6. Do you have a third place in your neighborhood?
Highland Park has a wonderful coffee shop called Tazza D’Oro which opened about 8 years ago in a building that had housed a independent drugstore. This place has become the de facto community center for the neighborhood, to the point that the planning team working on our community plan held ‘office hours’ at the coffee shop. There seem to be regulars there daily, both retirees and students, bicyclists who begin and end rides there, dog walkers, moms with strollers, etc. It’s become quite a landmark in the neighborhood.

Key Terms

Here are the majority of my key terms. If I come along more of them during my research, then I will add them to the list here.

Third Place: A third place is your ordinary hangout of comfort and familiarity away from home and school/work that you could call your own. Third places are usually sites like coffee shops, bookstores, garden shop, (.etc).

Networking: A supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.

Entrepreneur: A person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

Target Market: A specific group of customers at which a company aims its products and services.

Community: 1)A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government. 2) A group of people having a common interest.

Neighborhood: The area or region around or near some place or thing; vicinity.

Survey!

Do you have a store in your neighborhood? (within walking distance)

YES.............NO

If not would you like one?

YES.............NO

What type of items do you purchase at the store?


________________________________________________________________________

Do you see people from your neighborhood in the store?

YES.............NO

Do you know a great majority of your neighbors?

YES.............NO

If not would you like to?

YES.............NO

Where do you go to get away from home and work/school?
A friend’s house
Mall/Movies/etc.
Library
Park/Court

Do you know what the term “Third Place” means?

YES.............NO

If you have some free time, it would be nice if you could simply answer my survey through a comment. Just copy and paste it, and then simply answer below each question. But I do plan on distributing it to the class. I would appreciate your support.

Update on Interview

Yesterday I emailed my winter internship mentor Cherie Moshier from Moshier Studio. She was glad to hear that I continued my project, and that she would be glad to help me with it. With her busy schedule we have come to agreeance that we will conduct the interview via email. Here are a few of the questions that she will answer...

1. As an architect, what type of positive outcomes have you seen come from any of your commercial sites? (Such as a coffee shop, restaurant, etc.)
2. Do any of your sites seem to be lacking the idea of fellowship within the neighborhood?
3. Do you think third places you have planned revitalized the neighborhood in which it is located?
4. Do you think third places are important to a community?
5. What do you look for in third place that would make you a regular customer?
6. Do you have a third place in your neighborhood?

Later on the answer to these questions will be posted.

To Do List

1. Get all signatures for plan
2. Pass out survey
3. Add book to webliography
4. Finish key terms
5. Get interview questions completed
6. Outline for paper