WHO WE ARE:

We too, are developers-- developers of culture. Beginning in 1988 and continuing through the present, the 111 building has always been a mixed-use complex and is widely recognized as the paradigm for development in Jersey City's proposed Arts District. Today, the 111 First Street Arts Community is not only the single largest concentration of artists in the state of New Jersey, but one of the largest communities of its kind in the entire metropolitan region. While the majority of tenants are visual artists, the building's roster also includes musicians, composers, recording studios, filmmakers, actors, craftspeople, custom cabinetmakers, art galleries, designers, art-furniture makers, graphic artists, stained-glass artisans as well as yoga and therapeutic massage professionals.

March 2, 2004

P L A T F O R M
of the 111 First Street
Artists and Small Business Community

1. Augment the viability of the Arts Center on First as a productive and flourishing environment for the arts.

2. Increase its exhibition and community outreach capabilities.

3. Promote its value as a cultural icon and a magnet for progressive real estate development.

4. Reaffirm 111 as the present and future foundation of the Powerhouse Arts and Entertainment District.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

This organic, ever-evolving community is currently facing the greatest crisis in its 15 year existence. In September 2003, all tenants were hit with drastic rent increases between 50% and 150%, as part of the building owner's strategy to drive out as many artists and small business people as possible in order to develop the building contrary to the arts district ordinance. Twenty five percent of the studios are deliberately being kept empty in order to pave the way for the owner's renovation plans which if implemented, could effectively complete the job of eliminating most, if not all of the tenants from the complex. However, development does not necessarily have to have a negative connotation, but if this kind of unilateral, wrong-headed development goes forward unimpeded, the pioneering efforts undertaken by hundreds of professional artists and small business people over the years will have been for naught, and Jersey City will be the poorer for it. In order to prevent this worst-case scenario from taking place, we have hired our own professional developer to help us draw up plans for a best-case alternative scenario, one which would preserve the building's historic character, upgrade its sub-standard mechanical systems, conform to the requirements of the arts district ordinance, and offer tenants an opportunity to secure their futures. Discussions between Mayor Cunningham's administration, the building's owner, and representatives of the 111 First Street tenants and their experienced professional developer, will be crucial in order to secure a satisfactory solution for all involved parties.

OUR IMPACT

For many years, Jersey City's cultural reputation has been slowly on the rise. Through creative output and community outreach, the arts community of 111 First and its artistic colleagues throughout the greater Jersey City community, have sought to enhance this growth and to promote the city as a welcoming and fertile ground for cultural development. In tandem with a growing and dynamic new arts element composed of poets and musicians, Jersey City is now on the cusp of realizing its potential as a significant player in the greater metropolitan area's cultural mix. This upsurge in dynamic arts activity is steadily giving Jersey City a cache it has never before experienced.

THE ARTISTS' ANNUAL OPEN STUDIO TOUR

Since its inception in 1990, the artists of 111 have been a prime destination for a public curious about and motivated toward experiencing the output of an eclectic mix of art and artists. This past year's tour was no different, attracting well over ten thousand visitors from throughout the greater metropolitan area. If the current population of 100-plus artists are forced out, their creative contributions and the positive image-building publicity they've generated over the years for Jersey City's benefit will be compromised. In the words of a prominent Jersey City real estate official, there will be no arts district without the 111 artists. Goodbye 111 artists, goodbye art tour.

IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES

The elimination or decimation of the 111 arts community will not only be a cultural disaster, but its disappearance will severely impact local businesses such as restaurants, hardware stores, lumber yards, art supply stores, etc. Reporting on the economic benefits generated by the arts in the life of a community, a recent U.S. governor's report culled from data nationwide, found that for every $1.00 spent on art and arts events, $10.00 in additional spending was generated for ancillary businesses. Clearly, art and artists are an important economic engine whose productivity and patronage is recognized and supported by local businesses. A thriving arts community can also act as a catalyst to attract new businesses as well, helping to broaden the tax base and further inspire the City's growth and well-being.

THE PROPOSED ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

If we, as the long-time flagship of the proposed arts district are seriously compromised or eliminated, the resulting "arts district" will lose its heart and soul, its uniqueness, its credibility as a destination, and its viability as a vehicle for economic redevelopment.

WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST

Like any outmoded relic of the past, the tiresome history of artists being displaced from areas they've pioneered, helped improve and popularize, needs to come to an end--right here, right now.

Just because displacement in the service of power and avarice has been the all too prevalent scenario up to this point, it does not mean that this outmoded way of doing things need repeat itself in Jersey City. The local community, inspired by its artists. enlightened developers, and committed public officials, has a unique, historic opportunity to halt this negative legacy, and establish instead a community-first, trend-setting precedent that could have far-reaching implications for other municipalities throughout the country as well.