The Agurban E-Zine Issue 98 Oct 24, 2006

What to do with a Big Box?

As retail trends shift throughout time, many communities across the USA find themselves with vacant "Big Box" store facilities. Whether the store built an even larger facility on the edge of town or left town altogether, the results are the same, a typically unsightly, large, barren building in the middle of your retail district. As Julia Christensen has found out, these buildings don’t have to be a blight for your community. Christensen is a new media artist from Bardstown, KY. She is currently working on her research series "How Communities are Re-Using the Big Box." This project has taken her over 75,000 miles in the past 2 years. Read on to see some of the examples she’s discovered for big box redevelopment.

* In Austin, MN what was a Kmart sat vacant for several years before the Spam Museum occupied the space. Now, over 100,000 visitors come annually to tour the museum.

* A comprehensive medical center is now housed in an old Wal-Mart building in Mt. Sterling, KY.

* Several school districts around the country have renovated big boxes into schools, including Snowy Range Elementary in Laramie, WY and Head Start K-12 in Hastings, NE.

* Princeton, NJ now boasts a fitness and wellness center in an abandoned big box.

* The Granby St. Apartments in Norfolk, VA occupy a renovated Ames.

* In Round Rock, TX what was once a Wal-Mart is now RPM Indoor Raceway.

* And all over the country, churches and organizations are moving into vacant big box facilities.

Big boxes are appealing to businesses, churches and organizations because they are strategically located, with adequate infrastructure, including roads and parking. Do you have an abandoned big box in your community that could be utilized?

Christensen continues to travel around the country, visiting towns and giving lectures about the reuse of big box buildings in the United States. You can view her work at http://www.bigboxreuse.com

The Blog Log

Visit my weblog to see where I’ve been and what I learned along the way. This week I blogged on Bedford, PA’s community altering restoration, wealth transfer and Hannah, ND (population 20) as well as several other topics. http://www.boomtowninstitute.com

On the Road Again
In addition to my travel blog I’ll list my upcoming engagements in each issue of The Agurban. Come see me when I’m in your neighborhood!

Jack’s Schedule – Week of October 16, 2006

Tuesday, October 24 – Marion, IA

Wednesday, October 25 – Ames, IA

Hot Topics

This month’s Hot Topics, Rural Healthcare: Serving the Underserved, looks at programs around the country focused on providing increased healthcare to rural communities. Check it out at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com

Jack Schultz is the CEO of Boomtown Institute and Agracel Inc., an industrial development firm majoring in rural America, author of Boomtown USA, and speaker. Boomtown Institute serves as an economic development mentor to communities across the United States, leading communities to realize their full potential.

Visit the Boomtown Institute website at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com

Keep up with Jack as he tours the country on his blog!
To learn more about Agracel visit http://www.agracel.com