Guest Commentary: The Starbucks Controversy. Now what?

Guest Commentary: The Starbucks Controversy. Now what?

Middle Urban center District'south President and StreetsDept.com's founder and blogger were at loggerheads over the newest addition to Dilworth Park. Here, they lay out what they tin agree on

Apr. x, 2019

This is a jointly written blog post from Heart City District President Paul Levy and myself, Streets Dept Founder Conrad Benner . As many readers of my weblog accept likely noticed, over the last several weeks I accept very publicly objected to the selling of Starbucks coffee via new Starbucks-branded kiosk leased by Eye Urban center District in Dilworth Park. I wrote an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer nigh information technology, and I even started a petition confronting it that many people signed. I did this considering, equally I've talked about many times over the viii years of running Streets Dept, I believe that our public space is besides valuable to non have regular conversations about it. And frankly this Dilworth Park situation seemed, in the yard scheme of bug in need of our attending, a relatively piece of cake problem to fix. As I've learned in the concluding couple of weeks, however, it's not so easy. But the opportunity has presented itself to work to accost one of the key reasons this happened in the starting time place.

I won't sugar coat it, this kiosk is going to happen and it'due south going to sell Starbucks. This became clear to me afterwards reaching out to Paul Levy to discuss our disagreement, to empathise where we agree, and to piece of work to see what we can do near this issue. The simple fact is that breaking this contract with Starbucks at present would create many legal and financial penalties, both fourth dimension and coin that is ultimately ameliorate spent on creating services in the park itself. Personally, of course I volition not be thrilled to see that kiosk selling Starbucks, only as you're about to read I am satisfied that Paul and I can concur to agree on a number of key bug around the futurity of Dilworth Park. I recollect anyone who joined me in signing my petition tin can take solace in the fact that while this kiosk will happen, that together we have worked to button for more transparency and ultimately to make sure a similar determination isn't made in the future.

When the original Dilworth Plaza opened in 1977, Philadelphia was losing 200,000 manufacturing jobs, population was in free autumn and ane of us was 30.

The start full twelvemonth the new Dilworth Park was open, 2015, Philadelphia was adding jobs and population, but the poverty charge per unit was over 25 percent and i of us was 30.

That aforementioned yr, Philadelphia authorities was spending less on parks and recreation than 26 of the 30 largest cities—only $69 per person, co-ordinate to the Pew Charitable Trusts . Both of united states of america concur on the need for quality public spaces and support increased funding. We disagree on how to do that.

It is clear in the wake of this controversy that we can exercise amend, and moving forward, CCD plans to piece of work at communicating in ways that increase transparency and inclusiveness most contemplated major, physical changes at Dilworth Park.

The Kenney administration is at present spending more, simply many other needs still compete for limited public funding. Private sector resources can supplement scarce public funds, just the presence of a multinational coffee chain in our central public park offends some.

After disagreeing in virtual space, nosotros came together for the outset time concluding month in real infinite (over coffee, of course) to discuss how to span the gap. We agreed on several things:

• No public space is being sold; the kiosk in Dilworth will be publicly owned, operated and staffed by a local visitor, licensing the right to utilise the Starbucks name. To break a contract after going through all approvals would create many legal and financial penalties, both fourth dimension and money that we ultimately believe is better spent on creating public services in the park itself.

• Borough spaces are special, our local business organization should be celebrated, and excessive corporate branding in public spaces should be avoided.

• We should support local businesses, artists, artisans and merchants, scores of whom announced regularly at events in Dilworth Park. We can work together to attract even more local talent and better communicate future opportunities.

• With the Starbucks lease, CCD followed its standard public outreach and the formal public blessing process. However, it is clear in the wake of this controversy that we can do meliorate, and moving frontwards, CCD plans to piece of work at communicating in means that increment transparency and inclusiveness about contemplated major, concrete changes at Dilworth Park. In doing so, nosotros are confident that we can avoid like disagreements in the future.

• You tin brand change by hiring Philadelphians to eliminate litter and assistance pedestrians throughout Middle Urban center and by raising funds to remake derelict infinite. Y'all tin celebrate the improvisational art of the streets and mobilize change through the power of social media. Working together, nosotros tin can make Philadelphia an even more vibrant, collaborative, and inclusive place.

Dilworth used to be a identify that relatively few Philadelphians sought out. Now it is everyone'south park, attracting ten.8 meg in 2018. Office workers and toddlers enjoy the fountains, usually in different ways. Students, residents, families, tourists and shoppers, come to eat, drink, read, work or merely sit alone and lookout man the crowds. Anybody is welcome at costless concerts, movies, events and the vacation light show. It is a sign of success that people are so passionate well-nigh the identify, even if they sometimes disagree on specifics. We value that passion, and we will work together to give vocalization to all who beloved Dilworth Park.

Paul Levy is the President and CEO of the Center City District. Conrad Benner is a photographer, podcaster, curator, and founder of StreetsDept.com , a photo-blog that discovers art on the streets of Philadelphia. This piece originally ran on StreetsDept.com.

Photo via Streets Dept

jeterperney.blogspot.com

Source: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/guest-commentary-starbucks-is-here-to-stay-now-what/

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