Gentrification, it's a national thing

So often the things that happen here in Coconut Grove are just part of American way of life. They happen all over - gentrification, the rise of big white boxy houses, lot splitting, etc.

I just read that there is an almost 20% vacancy on Bleecker Street in New York City, that's a major street in Greenwich Village. Hard to believe the vacancies are so high, but according to the New York Daily News article, it seems that landlords are pushing out local businesses, in hopes of attracting corporate businesses who can afford higher rents.

Encouraging is that the Tribeca community board vetoed renovation plans for a Canal Street building, that they felt would not fit in with the low-rise neighborhood. The board voted unanimously against the developer's design.

If only we could get our own city board to stand up for the community.

Speaking of standing up for the community, there is a meeting tonight, Wednesday, May 24, at the Sailing Club, where the 2030 Group will discuss major upcoming projects for Coconut Grove. I'm not quite sure how we got to this point where there are a dozen or more big projects in our small village, all ready to happen at the same time. We're being inundated with cement.

The 2030 meeting is at 6:30 pm. The Sailing Club is at 2990 South Bayshore Drive.

The above t-shirt is available with mugs at our Coconut Grove store here.