Urban Planning and Transportation Issues in Biggest Little State in the Union
Urban Planning and Transportation Issues in Biggest Little State in the Union
"Business untended ... will in fact turn [downtown] into a mall." -Bristol Resident Keith Maloney
"If you're going to bring business to Bristol, you play by our rules." - Councilman Raymond Cordeiro
Bristol, RI, home of the nation's oldest Fourth of July parade, just passed some zoning regulations that will essentially restrict chain restaurants in the historic downtown district. The scope of the codes could make Bristol a model for other communities concerned about the effects of homogenized commerce on their sense of place. Well, most likely a model for other rich communities who can afford to play hardball with developers and franchisees.
We applaud this, if for no other reason than to protect Bristol Bagel Works, the best bagels in the state.
Will other Rhode Island communities follow suit? So far I've heard nothing about it, but I'm sure local governments are looking at it, especially in places like East Greenwich and North Kingstown. Some chains in Providence (Home Depot springs to mind) have made aesthetic concessions, but there's not much resistance to the actual type of business that comes in.
Here's what got this ball rolling.
TrackBackGood article, Bil. I had known that Carmel, CA has done this for years. I wish Bristol luck. A tiny town called Cold Spring near where I grew up on NY's Hudson River has been successful at doing this as well with lots of restrictions on signage, architecture, etc.
Garris
May 19, 2004 09:43 AM