Years ago, Staples built a rather obtrusive building to comply with city codes designed to generate a new urbanism feel along Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. This upset the sense of place of a few concerned citizens who have been lobbying government to make Staples change its appearance. Staples made some concessions, but it was hesitant to redo what it had done at the city’s insistence.
A handful of citizens, who are masters of all they survey in this visionary collectivist town, convinced the mayor to travel to Staples’ headquarters in Massachusetts to commence negotiations for better décor. Successfully persuading Staples to invest $75,000 to $100,000 in design improvements, citizens are still wanting more. It has been suggested that Staples turn its logo green and replace its name with a clock. One must wonder if the local office supplies industry is not behind the beating Staples is taking from all sides.
Asheville experienced a homicide epidemic last December. Gang activity is up. But that’s OK as long as we make sure people with leisure time for walking poodles and sipping lattes do not have to be oppressed by large signs and walls with no opportunity for pedestrian interaction.
I apologize for the schizophrenic babble, but I don’t have a great enough grasp on what “sense of place†and “new urbanism†are to use my own words.
