Dr. Downtown, David Brussat: A Jetpack for R.I.’s Economy

Monday, April 13, 2015

David Brussat, GoLocalProv Dr. Downtown

 

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The local news is filled with stories of reaction to Governor Raimondo’s proposed budget. The reviews are mixed. Those who represent interests that would get more money like it and those who seem to think they represent the rest of us don’t. But everyone is eager to say they like a lot of what’s in it. Allow me to jump on that bandwagon, for a sec.

The governor thinks that more state subsidies for job creators will help. She is correct. Since it costs so much more to create jobs in Rhode Island than elsewhere, more subsidies from the state to even the playing field can only help. Such subsidies may hurt other state interests, for example by putting off measures to improve the state’s business climate. Still, the subsidies will help.

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Hey, That’s Not a Jetpack!

But that would only level the playing field. Other states have the same subsidies, and better economic climates. What Rhode Island needs is an idea that will tilt the playing field our way. “Game-changer” is the favorite catch-phrase for such an idea. But neither the Raimondo budget nor endless private and legislative confabs on how to stoke the economy, let alone the flood of media commentary, have identified any such game-changing idea. Not even close.

The only exception has been here on GoLocalProv.com, where I’ve urged Governor Raimondo, Mayor Elorza and other leaders to embrace an idea that will bring almost immediate positive results at no cost to taxpayers. Again and again I’ve called on Rhode Island leaders to inform developers that architecture which strengthens one of this state’s competitive advantages - its beauty - and jibes with our state brand will be appreciated. No new laws or spending required.

The governor need only make speeches and instruct officials who oversee economic programs to urge developers to build places that entrepreneurs and their creative employees will actually like - not to mention most of the rest of us here, and most people likely to visit Rhode Island.

It Costs Nothing to Advantage Beauty

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Logo for Rhode Island tourism campaign, courtesy of allpawtucket.com

In fact, state law mandates the protection of historical character. Ordinances in Providence even require that new construction in historic districts not undermine character. Mostly these laws are ignored by officials charged with overseeing the development process.

Every proposal to create jobs comes with a building project of some sort, large or small. Every building project must go through a process requiring developers to send architects, engineers and lawyers before committees of design review. This process costs money and is one of the factors that adds directly to this state’s reputation for business unfriendliness.

Developers often leave these meetings rolling their eyes in frustration at the mixed signals they get from the design authorities who rule on their projects. Almost all members of such panels support modern architecture, either because they are artist-wannabes or because they think it is cheaper. (It’s not, it just looks that way.) 

But those same panel members realize that the public prefers traditional architecture, and so they try to square this circle in their comments on projects at such meetings, but since they are not usually very good at it, their contradictory remarks only cause confusion for those who must incorporate this “advice” into their projects’ design. 

Put This in Your RhodeMap and Smoke It

Governor Raimondo and other leaders should instruct the heads of planning and development agencies and the chairmen of design committees to favor traditional design. Developers would greet such an initiative with a sigh of relief. Most developers want to cooperate with government, if only they knew what government wants.

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Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, courtesy of massbuildingtrades.org

The new mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, recently encouraged developers there to propose “bolder” projects, a code word for modern architecture. For his city this was bad advice, but the idea of using the bully pulpit to push local movers-and-shakers toward government’s preferred policy is good governing practice of long standing. Its what elected leaders are paid to do. 

Governor Raimondo and every leader on down the ladder here should do the same thing, except they should push traditional architecture. Match economic development policy with our latest tourist slogan pushing the beauty of the Ocean State. There’s a RhodeMap for ya!

For example, the state is going all-in to put a nursing school into an excellent Beaux Arts power plant. Great idea! But look at the proposed design for a new dorm and parking garage next to the old plant. It stinks! It will turn an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the character of the city into the same mishmash of old and new that has robbed so many cities and towns of beauty.

Because Rhode Island has spent the last hundred years struggling with a poor economy, it has retained much more of its old beauty. This history may be sad, but it has given us a competitive advantage that modern planning and design threaten to throw away. To put our foot down and cry “No!” would be a game-changer in the Ocean State. It would add a jetpack to economic development and job growth. It would bring national media attention that money can’t buy. We would literally “blast off”!

If Governor Raimondo truly seeks a “game-changer” idea to boost the Rhode Island economy, that is it. And at no cost. Step up onto your bully pulpit, Gina, and do your job!

 

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