I’m involved in a project which seeks to energize the city core of Dayton, Ohio- DaytonCREATE. One team of the project has been productive in securing a (previously) vacant first-floor space on a largely empty block. The idea is that creating spaces “high bohemians” (Richard Florida’s term) can live and work and play in is the first step to revitalizing a dead zone. It is happening all around the world, with articles in the New York Times detailing artists, musicians and others moving in and starting a revolution. The revolution? This video explains it perfectly. First, you get people selling out of coolers on the night of the show. Then a coffee shop or two will spring up. Next thing you know, the block is sprouting with boutiques and warehouses are being renovated into lofts.
We think this is a good thing, and in a lot of ways it is. Folks are doing their thing. Perhaps even earning a living powering a once-dead city block. But this man is very cognizant of the fact that this function the high bohemians play- here “the punks”- is somehow belonging to “They.” That this pattern we are trying to catalyze might be for a cause different than that which we speak.
I realize I’m becoming the academic, or maybe the young professional, and I’m not really comfortable with that. I think this guy has his finger on the heart of why. Then again, he also has his finger on why I’m no longer comfortable as a “high bohemian,” either. Is there anyone left who is truly authentic?
Maybe there is. Maybe they are the same people we target as needing others “help.”
Tags: city revitalization, community, gentrification, high bohemian, punks, third spaces, urban, young professionals