C-Street struggles
Students not attracted to area
Neil Sickendick
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: Voices
In recent years, there have been a lot of efforts to increase the Drury presence on Commercial Street.
Drury SIFE has done great work to try and further the economic development of this part of town by organizing events on C-Street as well as forming partnerships with businesses to provide discounts and incentives for students to visit.
As noted in last week's edition of The Mirror, SUB and SGA have been instrumental in providing a trolley service to Commercial Street on First Fridays to help lure students out to the struggling district.
Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with some resistance, as most Drury student's still lack interest in spending time on C-Street.
It can only be assumed that the organizations working hard to advance the relationship between Drury and C-Street are asking themselves: "Why aren't students going?" Until this question is answered, efforts to attract students will continue to prove ineffective.
In my opinion, the answer to this question is quite clear: There is simply nothing to do.
Aside from Big Momma's and Pizza House, there is very little which is even somewhat appealing to college students. Of the multiple bars located on C-Street, only Lindberg's looks cleaned-up and approachable. So as far as nightlife goes, Pizza House and Big Momma's, for the most part, are out.
This leaves only one location that may eventually attract college students to the Commercial Street district on a regular basis to simply hang out. The second reason why, in my mind, Drury students do not visit C-Street is the crowd of other non-students who typically inhabit the area.
I am, of course, referring to the large homeless population.
While I understand the importance of organizations which serve the homeless and the importance of having an area for these individuals to live, I think it is a fair assertion that college students are not interested in spending their evenings in such areas.
This may seem like a harsh statement, but it is a reality nonetheless. Until this issue is resolved or contained, it will be difficult to attract students to the area.
Perhaps the efforts of the Drury community would be better put to use by promoting new business ventures in the area, attracting more bars and restaurants, and advising the businesses already there on ways to cater their work to students.
Whatever the case may be, Drury students need to begin making suggestions and giving their own insights as to why recent efforts have struggled to attract them to C-Street.
Until we answer the question of why students aren't visiting Commercial Street, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to truly improve this district and its relationship with the university.
Drury SIFE has done great work to try and further the economic development of this part of town by organizing events on C-Street as well as forming partnerships with businesses to provide discounts and incentives for students to visit.
As noted in last week's edition of The Mirror, SUB and SGA have been instrumental in providing a trolley service to Commercial Street on First Fridays to help lure students out to the struggling district.
Unfortunately, these efforts have been met with some resistance, as most Drury student's still lack interest in spending time on C-Street.
It can only be assumed that the organizations working hard to advance the relationship between Drury and C-Street are asking themselves: "Why aren't students going?" Until this question is answered, efforts to attract students will continue to prove ineffective.
In my opinion, the answer to this question is quite clear: There is simply nothing to do.
Aside from Big Momma's and Pizza House, there is very little which is even somewhat appealing to college students. Of the multiple bars located on C-Street, only Lindberg's looks cleaned-up and approachable. So as far as nightlife goes, Pizza House and Big Momma's, for the most part, are out.
This leaves only one location that may eventually attract college students to the Commercial Street district on a regular basis to simply hang out. The second reason why, in my mind, Drury students do not visit C-Street is the crowd of other non-students who typically inhabit the area.
I am, of course, referring to the large homeless population.
While I understand the importance of organizations which serve the homeless and the importance of having an area for these individuals to live, I think it is a fair assertion that college students are not interested in spending their evenings in such areas.
This may seem like a harsh statement, but it is a reality nonetheless. Until this issue is resolved or contained, it will be difficult to attract students to the area.
Perhaps the efforts of the Drury community would be better put to use by promoting new business ventures in the area, attracting more bars and restaurants, and advising the businesses already there on ways to cater their work to students.
Whatever the case may be, Drury students need to begin making suggestions and giving their own insights as to why recent efforts have struggled to attract them to C-Street.
Until we answer the question of why students aren't visiting Commercial Street, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to truly improve this district and its relationship with the university.
Article last update: 3/2/10 at 9:01 PM CST
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Nate
posted 3/08/10 @ 4:35 PM CST
Neil,
Thank you for your misguided rant. It is individuals who are not aware of other activities on C-Street (such as yourself) who stop others from going out and enjoying the street to its fullest. (Continued…)
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