What the CVS could have been
Youngstown — Posted on August 7, 2009 at 4:03 amI wrote a post on my Vindy blog about the new Fifth-Avenue CVS next to Stambaugh Auditorium and what it suggests about our desperation for development. I wrote “The store should front directly on Fifth Avenue and the West Bound Service Road, ensuring the parking is visually obscured behind it and a more walker-friendly setting is created.”
We should not be so desperate for development that we approve whatever is sent our way. We must develop design standards that represent the best of what we still have, and we must ensure they are adhered to. If a developer threatens to walk away if their cheaper design doesn’t get approved, we should let them. It’s a desirable enough location for both urban residents and University students, that another pharmacy would have come and bid for it if CVS ended up passing.
If we keep accepting crap, that’s all we’ll have.
Apart from some of the more ridiculous comments–”some of us consider Stambaugh Auditorium to be an ugly, gray, dingy looking old hulk”–some folks expressed a concern that by standing up to developers and demanding more from them, we would drive development away.
The city should be happy that any commercial entity is willing to invest any sizeable amount of money within city limits, given the 2.75% local income tax rate.
This is a fine plan, and the city is getting a quality building.
If the city wants to set its standards too high, then it’ll have to be happy with empty lots.
I understand these fears, but I’m not asking for anything CVS hasn’t already done elsewhere. Just look at these stores from the Greater Columbus area…
Bexley, Ohio
Westerville, Ohio
Worthington, Ohio
What do I take away from all this? It wouldn’t take too much pressure for CVS to dip into its bag of designs and find a suitable urban store footprint. There’s precedent, and it’s not far away. Again, we have to demand better, or we’ll never get it. (Thanks to Ian Beniston for the photos.)
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Tags: business, fifthAve, identity, stambaugh
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14 Comments
Unfortunately it’s probably too late. If Youngstown doesn’t already have the design and zoning regulations in place, there is no reason for CVS to change their plans. You have, however, shone a light on an (obviously) overlooked part of the city’s zoning code. So, as long as people make a little noise, it should be changed and the past – or present(CVS)– does not repeat itself.
Agreed; we have to focus on the policies and structures that allow this to happen. There’s no real visibility into the process while it’s happening (as far as I’m aware), so we’ve got to ensure a solid and productive framework is in place for future deals that develop.
what a bunch of the complainers you ought to be happy they build anything in this stinky rathole of a town..
In the past year the McDonald’s within a mile and the gas station have had armed robberies I wonder how long before CBS gives us his dump of a town
You want them to build a mansion in the middle of a war zone
How stupid are you
Just what kind of perverse pleasure do you get out of crapping on Youngstown? At least have the decency to respect the people who are dedicated to preserving and promoting our home. Your comments are an affront to the decent people of this city who deserve as much respect and consideration as residents of any other city. Shame on you.
I want to be proud of Youngstown. I want the community to excel, not only economically, but socially, too. Youngstown will continue to decline unless citizens decide it is valuable and treat it as such.
There is a lot of potential here, and to make the city thrive once again, we have to set certain standards. Growing up in South Carolina, going to school near Chattanooga, and studying NYC history, I have seen classic architecture honored by new buildings designed to compliment them. The other towns’ photos reflect a welcoming, safe place–why don’t we deserve that?
At the same time, I’m very glad to have the CVS there to begin with. Crossing Belmont is always a hassle, and having to drive past our house and back into traffic if we need to pick up something at Walgreen’s is an inconvenience. We’ll be patronizing CVS no matter what, but I agree that architecture and aesthetics have to be a priority for the area to improve.
Thanks, Eliza. I also will welcome the CVS but wish it was in a different form. I know there are many YSU students and others in the surrounding area who will appreciate having it within walking distance.
i for one am just happy to have any convenient store within walking distance of my home. i can now get one or two items without paying huge markups at Ufoods/Petra/Red and White, and without risking possibly being held hostage by the owners of Petra if they suspect i am shoplifting (surely you heard about this man, whose pastor had to come rescue him). im sure 90 percent or more of us north side residents dont care what town-square aesthetic the new CVS has, if any; they will just be happy to have one nearby. they will be thinking of things like closer access to prescriptions and medicine; saving on gas mileage; not paying $5 for a gallon of milk or formula. it would be nice if it looked like Dorian Books, but if it were to be in a plaza like the CVS locations pictured above, who would be able to afford to be tenants? Since YSU has been so focused on the on/offramp areas leading into campus, i’m sure the design of the pharmacy will be in keeping with their design ideas. other issues are more worthy of an uproar – such as, how come virtually none of the pro-Yo set came to the recent National Night Out in Wick Park this week to meet their Neighborhood Watch groups.
Hi Sarah. Wow, lots of stuff there. Okay, first, I think it’s clear that CVS can afford at least the types of buildings I showed pictures of. Yes, there are other issues that need an uproar, but I don’t think that means the design of new buildings should be overlooked, especially when sited next to historical structures that get lots of traffic. Finally, I think I’m pretty in touch with what’s going on around here, yet I heard zero about the National Night Out event until I read about it in the paper the next day. I was disappointed it wasn’t better promoted. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Tyler, I appreciate and agree with your thoughts overall. Two things however; First there is still a faction of the public that (although it’s very debatable they are wrong,) find that area of Youngstown not very safe, and it will probably make people feel safer walking out from the store into a parking lot no a main street instead of walking around to a parking lot in the back away from any type of regular traffic.
Also, it might be a Walgreen battle and not a City of Youngstown one. I live in Poland and after a long hard fight to put a Walgreen in the middle of the village at 224 and 170, it is almost an identical design plan as the one you show considered by the city above. I find it hard to believe that if the VERY tough crowd in Poland didnt succeed in getting the parking lot in the back where it is perceived very safe, it would be a tough road to hoe for Youngstown. Just my 2 cents.
Scott, it’s funny but I’ve heard differing opinions on the Poland Walgreens. Some people think the design battle was won by Walgreens and some by the residents. The traffic pattern in that intersection is wacky anyway…
Tyler -
As I see this thing going up, I cant say I am so offended by its look. And the color on the outside does match the motif of Stambaugh. What would have been ideal is to have a matching slanted roof in color. Stambaugh has what I assume is old copper roofing (that faded green). How late is it to propose a new roofline (or framed roofline) on that building? The city has no power I assume after it gave a signoff. But some pressure on CVS?
Curious as to your thoughts.
Eric
I guess I wouldn’t call it offensive either. What strikes me as I look at the building is how short it is compared with the surrounding architecture. You can see some of the pictured two-story facades in the pictures in this post, and I think an approach like that could have mitigated things. My primary concern is still the siting of the building vis-a-vis the road and parking.
I’ve also been reasonably pleased with the appearance as the building has been going up. I do agree that it looks a bit short, but perhaps some of that will be offset by trees? And, actually, when I think of some of the taller stores I’ve seen, they tend to look much more “big-boxier” than the short ones. (at least when they sit alone)
As for how the building is sited, I’m guessing that they sited it that way so that the two sides that bear the largest signs are facing the two primary roads, thus giving the store the most visibility; and that the Park ave. side is the most sensible for people to pull into the drive-through window. From what I’ve read in various business publications, these stores are almost always set up with drivers, not walkers, in mind.
Well, I hate to say, but if its going to be a 24-hr location, then safety has to come into play, and having the cars in front of the location would seem to be safer as well.
Thanks,
Eric