Someone brought up a new pool hall in Irvington, so I took the opportunity to comment and am reposting here:

Ooh, ooh - something I've done a lot of research on. Let me tell you what Fremont needs:

A Viable Third Place

Based on Fremont's characteristics and accolades, a viable and profitable Third Place that could thrive in the city while maintaining a safe, inclusive environment and reflecting local culture is a multi-purpose community center and café. This facility could combine elements of:

• A tech-friendly workspace
• A cultural hub showcasing local diversity
• A family-oriented gathering space

Key Features

• Tech-Friendly Workspace: Fremont ranks highly for women in tech and is near Silicon Valley1. The space could offer high-speed internet, comfortable seating, and meeting rooms to cater to the tech-savvy population.
• Cultural Hub: With Fremont's diverse population, the center could host cultural events, art exhibitions, and language exchange meetups, reflecting the city's inclusive nature.
• Family-Oriented Space: Fremont is ranked as one of the best places to raise a family1. The center could include a safe indoor play area for children and host family-friendly events.

Additional Elements

• A café serving diverse, healthy food options
• A small library or book exchange corner
• Outdoor seating area for pleasant weather days
• Regular community events and workshops

This Third Place would be designed to be profitable through café sales, workspace rentals, and event hosting, while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment that reflects Fremont's tech-forward, family-friendly, and culturally diverse character.

Can It Work?

Yes! Several real-life examples of successful community-oriented spaces that combine elements of cafes, cultural hubs, and community centers exist:

• Studio 89 in Mississauga, Ontario: A youth-led social enterprise cafe that serves fair trade products and operates as an art space. They've even expanded to Islamabad, Pakistan.
• Surry Hills Library and Community Centre in Sydney, Australia: This multi-purpose facility houses a library, meeting rooms, a kitchen for cooking classes, offices, and a daycare center. It was designed to meet residents' needs while setting standards for eco-friendly civic facilities.
• West Vancouver Community Center in British Columbia, Canada: This center offers a wide range of facilities including an art studio, lounge for adolescents, dance and fitness studio, gymnasium, music room, daycare services, coffee shop, meeting rooms, and a healthcare center.
• Newlands Community Centre in Wellington, New Zealand: This multipurpose center hosts various classes and activities, featuring a toy library, computer facilities, meeting rooms, and a performance venue.
• Hygge Coffee Company in Missoula, Montana: This cafe embodies the Danish concept of Hygge, focusing on creating a sense of sanctuary and community.
• Cowork Cafe in Arlington, Virginia: This coffee shop caters to remote employees and freelancers by providing a coworking space with creative resources and podcasting facilities3.
• Red Tree Art Gallery & Coffee Shop: This venue combines a coffee shop with a mini art gallery, showcasing local artists' work and offering rentable space for community events.
• Largo Community Center in Florida: This LEED Platinum-certified structure was designed with input from community members and offers various programs, focusing particularly on seniors in the area. It features an indoor park-like environment and has won several awards for its innovative and sustainable design.

These examples demonstrate how community spaces can successfully integrate multiple functions, catering to diverse needs while fostering a sense of community and inclusivity.

'That's Never Gonna Happen!'

In Fremont, it's common to assert that a community-focused project "is never going to work." However, it's essential to respond with evidence and examples of successful initiatives that have thrived under similar circumstances. Here are some effective counterpoints:

• Successful Placemaking Projects: Numerous placemaking projects demonstrate that community-driven spaces can flourish. For instance, Pier 70 in San Francisco transformed an industrial area into a vibrant hub featuring office space, retail shops, and affordable housing, successfully embodying its history while fostering community engagement.
• Community Architecture Successes: Projects like the Austin Central Library have redefined public spaces by integrating community needs with innovative design. This library serves as a cultural and social center, attracting thousands of visitors daily and providing various community services.
• Adaptability During Challenges: The report from the Knight Foundation highlights that community-led public spaces maintained high usage during the pandemic, adapting to new roles such as supporting local businesses and engaging youth through innovative programming. For example, Ella Fitzgerald Park in Detroit evolved from vacant lots into a vibrant gathering space for community events.
• Engagement Through Shared Spaces: Initiatives like the High Line in New York City, which transformed an abandoned railway into a thriving public park, showcase how creative reuse of space can revitalize neighborhoods and foster community interaction. This project has become a model for urban renewal and demonstrates the potential for similar endeavors to succeed.
• Cultural Relevance and Community Needs: Projects such as Casa Adelante in San Francisco effectively address cultural heritage while providing essential services like childcare and urban agriculture, reflecting the needs of local residents and creating a sense of belonging.

By highlighting these successful examples, it becomes clear that with thoughtful planning, community involvement, and adaptability, Third Places can indeed thrive despite skepticism. Engaging local Fremont stakeholders in the planning process further ensures that the project aligns with community needs, increasing its chances of success.

Naysayers who pile onto the 'it'll never work in Fremont' bandwagon need to go hang out in front of the closed Rainforest Cafe and complain how much better Fremont used to be on Facebook. In closing, if you have actual investment lined up and are looking to create a 3rd Place in Fremont for real, DM me - I'll totally help you.