THE WALK individual artists and crafts people

The history of the economic world seems to eb and flow. Actually, it just moves about. Some areas are in great distress while others are amidst a boom.

Small business, often a mix of small venders, crafts people and artists set up somewhere to conduct their affairs. Visitors come to take advantage of the array of unique products, qualifty and culture provided in these spaces. The first concern of these small businesses is almost always: the cost.

The spaces seem to always become very popular with the crowds who gather. Witnessing the traffic flow, Coffee Houses, Flower and Gift Shops join those conducting business in areas off what are known shopping districts. Soon, shop keepers and storefront businesses move in and rents go up. As this process continue, rents go up as well. Soon, many of the venders, craftspeople and artists find themselves unable to compete and look for other areas where they can conduct business. By this time, the inline businesses don't seen the benefit these provide and only see them as "unfair" competition for the same dollars and are glad or even aid in their removal.

This would seem; at first glance, to be alright for those who own the inline stores and other businesses. After-all, they are paying rental fees for their spaces and why should they compete with those who set up along the sidewalks or streets? Howeven; when they left, the foundation of their operations, quietly and slowly, began to crack. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years, but always, the traffic in these areas begin to decline.

Often such failures in the economy are blamed on other things -- even while the areas where these artists, craftspeople and street merchants moved are beginning to grow. Coffee Houses are ussually joined by Gift and Flower Shops and soon the proces begins again. And; once again, the rents begin to move up.

Street venders, from artists to food venders generate traffic to the places they work. Such events; such as First Fridays, Second Saturdays or Weekend Special Events, offer examples for what should be the business example to follow every day.
Ironically, the types of shops (sometimes even the very businesses) that moved to get these people from their streets and sidewalks, seek the
traffic they generate on specific dates.

The Walk is designed to care for these smallest of entrepenuers; not because it is an act of charity, but for self'preservation. When these smallest businesses die, it is the beginning of a systematic process that does not stop with them.

What Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer could make a living by conducting their business one, two or even eight days a month. Yet, this is what many cities suggest their artists and crafts people do. And,
even then, it is done, most often, to generate traffic to areas repleat with restaurants and bars. Thus, the businesses that don't support them being out on the streets every day, are fine when they can be used to resolve problems they seem to be having generating traffic to their doors.

Still, these street venders; from sidewalk artists to hotdoy stands, provide a variety of services beyond the obvious trafflic generated by thier presence. These individuals become the eyes and ears that provide a measure of safety on and along the streets where they work. Sometimes they serve as the best witnesseses, but just as often, prevent such things from ever taking place.

The Walk's street artists, craftspeople and venders will serve; yet another purpose. The monies raised from the rents they pay will go to provide funding to the Primary University that would own and operate the linear facilty. This unique aspect of The Walk's design would create a system that would allow only the academic and resume of each student applying to be the only concern. No student should be required to either take out loans or pay for tuition to attend classes at this Primary Facility.

Visitors to The Walk would be able to enjoy the vast array of activities, products, services and entertainment provided by those that create the base of the economic strategy that is a part of The Walk.

Imagine walking along as Magicians perform acts that challenge the wits of the most wise and athletes astound audiences with thier skills. Fruit and vegetable stands offer a variety of foods to either take home or eat along the walk. Artists paint scenes along the walk, present landscapes or abstract works while portrait artists sketch or paint people as they sit and enjoy live music being presented by singers, songwriters and muscians of all types.

While is may be possible to make the two hundred mile trek of American History without shopping at any of the shops along its path, or eating at any of the restuarants that present foods from around the country and the world, it would be unlikely many would.

Most visitors will enter THE WALK at one of many ports of entry; often through blocks of retail shops, hotels or convention centers. They will leave through a similar port.

While these activities do provide the base of the economic eco-sys The Walk was designed to protect and they add safety to the area, and they pay for the operation and educational services provided by the Primary University, they provide even more. They serve to slow the pace of our guests, thus giving them more opportunity to focus on The Walk's foundation: the names of those who really are the foundation of this nation. While they are engaged in many of the activities, each will find a name or two they will check out at the computer screens located all along The Walk. They will learn something of the story behind the name. They will learn how names they recognize played a role in making this the nation it is today, and they will learn the stories behind many names that have been left out of text books for years. More, the stories behind names that never made it into text books, ever.

This is the bottom line, the atmosphere and cultural experience that creates a site that will be the destination for every person in the world who can make the journey and the dream of many many others. It is right. This is the story of America and it is not a story that must end: not even a story that needs to subside in the shadow of any other.

THE WALK'S APPROACH TO STREET ARTISTS AND VENDERS			THE BOTTOM -- OTHERWISE KNOWN AS: THE FOUNDATION!
	The history of the economic world seems to eb and flow. Actually, it just moves about. Some areas are in great distress while others are amidst a boom. Small business, often a mix of small venders, crafts people and artists set up somewhere to conduct their affairs. Visitors come to take advantage of the array of unique products, qualifty and culture provided in these spaces. The first concern of these small businesses is almost always: the cost. The spaces seem to always become very popular with the crowds who gather. Witnessing the traffic flow, Coffee Houses, Flower and Gift Shops join those conducting business in areas off what are known shopping districts. Soon, shop keepers and storefront businesses move in and rents go up. As this process continue, rents go up as well. Soon, many of the venders, craftspeople and artists find themselves unable to compete and look for other areas where they can conduct business. By this time, the inline businesses don't seen the benefit these provide and only see them as "unfair" competition for the same dollars and are glad or even aid in their removal. This would seem; at first glance, to be alright for those who own the inline stores and other businesses. After-all, they are paying rental fees for their spaces and why should they compete with those who set up along the sidewalks or streets? Howeven; when they left, the foundation of their operations, quietly and slowly, began to crack. Sometimes it takes months, sometimes years, but always, the traffic in these areas begin to decline. Often such failures in the economy are blamed on other things -- even while the areas where these artists, craftspeople and street merchants moved are beginning to grow. Coffee Houses are ussually joined by Gift and Flower Shops and soon the proces begins again. And; once again, the rents begin to move up. Street venders, from artists to food venders generate traffic to the places they work. Such events; such as First Fridays, Second Saturdays or Weekend Special Events, offer examples for what should be the business example to follow every day. Ironically, the types of shops (sometimes even the very businesses) that moved to get these people from their streets and sidewalks, seek the traffic they generate on specific dates. The Walk is designed to care for these smallest of entrepenuers; not because it is an act of charity, but for self'preservation. When these smallest businesses die, it is the beginning of a systematic process that does not stop with them. What Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer could make a living by conducting their business one, two or even eight days a month. Yet, this is what many cities suggest their artists and crafts people do. And, even then, it is done, most often, to generate traffic to areas repleat with restaurants and bars. Thus, the businesses that don't support them being out on the streets every day, are fine when they can be used to resolve problems they seem to be having generating traffic to their doors. Still, these street venders; from sidewalk artists to hotdoy stands, provide a variety of services beyond the obvious trafflic generated by thier presence. These individuals become the eyes and ears that provide a measure of safety on and along the streets where they work. Sometimes they serve as the best witnesseses, but just as often, prevent such things from ever taking place. The Walk's street artists, craftspeople and venders will serve; yet another purpose. The monies raised from the rents they pay will go to provide funding to the Primary University that would own and operate the linear facilty. This unique aspect of The Walk's design would create a system that would allow only the academic and resume of each student applying to be the only concern. No student should be required to either take out loans or pay for tuition to attend classes at this Primary Facility. Visitors to The Walk would be able to enjoy the vast array of activities, products, services and entertainment provided by those that create the base of the economic strategy that is a part of The Walk. Imagine walking along as Magicians perform acts that challenge the wits of the most wise and athletes astound audiences with thier skills. Fruit and vegetable stands offer a variety of foods to either take home or eat along the walk. Artists paint scenes along the walk, present landscapes or abstract works while portrait artists sketch or paint people as they sit and enjoy live music being presented by singers, songwriters and muscians of all types. While is may be possible to make the two hundred mile trek of American History without shopping at any of the shops along its path, or eating at any of the restuarants that present foods from around the country and the world, it would be unlikely many would. Most visitors will enter THE WALK at one of many ports of entry; often through blocks of retail shops, hotels or convention centers. They will leave through a similar port. While these activities do provide the base of the economic eco-sys The Walk was designed to protect and they add safety to the area, and they pay for the operation and educational services provided by the Primary University, they provide even more. They serve to slow the pace of our guests, thus giving them more opportunity to focus on The Walk's foundation: the names of those who really are the foundation of this nation. While they are engaged in many of the activities, each will find a name or two they will check out at the computer screens located all along The Walk. They will learn something of the story behind the name. They will learn how names they recognize played a role in making this the nation it is today, and they will learn the stories behind many names that have been left out of text books for years. More, the stories behind names that never made it into text books, ever. This is the bottom line, the atmosphere and cultural experience that creates a site that will be the destination for every person in the world who can make the journey and the dream of many many others. It is right. This is the story of America and it is not a story that must end: not even a story that needs to subside in the shadow of any other.	These people believein America! We Thank them for their support!