Space to live, and work

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

By Aaron Wallis

Jackson Hole, Wyoming - The Psychic Fair was this weekend at Snow King. Unfortunately, celebrity sibling/exotic dancer/psychic La Toya Jackson was not scheduled to attend. I wanted to ask a fortuneteller, what does the future hold for the Jackson art scene? But I did not make it to the fair, so I was stuck looking through a snow globe and taking shots of absinthe. Peering through the mists of time, I saw a live/work space in a mixed-use, eight-unit development on the side of Route 22, which was funny because my editor also asked me to look into a new development by architect Stephen Dynia and real estate broker Greg Prugh. Driven by fate, my editor and the stars, I set out to find out exactly what is going on at 1085 West Broadway.

Dynia is the architect behind 810 West, across from the library. His vision for the new development is to create a modern space integrated with the environment that will “provide open spaces with light, air and flexibility in use for local culture.” The two level, multi-use units will have a thousand square feet of studio space downstairs and as much residential space upstairs. The sketch for the proposed building is very modern and looks kind of like a cross between 810 West and the burrito fast-food chain Chipotle.

The development is now under construction and when completed it will total eight units in two buildings. As of press time, three of the eight units have been sold, and I know who bought ‘em, but I ain’t allowed to say. I got a secret and I won’t tell, na na nahh.

The units are supposed to be affordable and from what I can tell, Dynia and Prugh did everything within their power to keep the price down. Unfortunately, the units are still in the $400s. Which, is again, affordable for Jackson, but that’s like saying the $10 burrito at Pica’s is a good deal just because everything else is in town is equally overpriced.
 
The project’s vision ­– to create a space where artists can live and work ­– is laudable. I know Tom Woodhouse would move into the Center for the Arts if they would let him. Seriously, why are residential and commercial space always zoned separately? Why not eliminate the necessity of commuting? Commuting by its very nature is a waste of time and resources. What’s the point of driving back and forth from Wilson to Jackson twice a day? It’s a colossal waste of gas, but I guess as long as there’s a “Please Don’t Idle” sticker on your SUV, it’s OK.

Anyway, if I had $400k, I would defintely consider moving in 1085 Broadway. What could be better than having artists for neighbors, creating in a clean modern space, and living in Jackson Hole? Well a Range Rover and a trust fund would be nice, but we can’t all be so lucky. I asked my Magic 8-Ball if the new development would change the art scene in Jackson.  “Signs point to yes,” it replied. But I plan on getting a second opinion from La Toya or the next stripper/psychic I meet.

Image: Stephen Dynia’s sketch for 1085 W. Broadway. Courtesy Stephen Dynia.

PERMALINK:
Space to live, and work | Planet JH News Article: Arts Beat

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