[KellyMP]

Ignatz is essentiality correct, capital intensive activities create there own interested constituency. But I do wonder if he is too limited in his thinking. In places like NYC any thing that uses physical space is by definition capital intensive. Instead of creating a themed development perhaps you could create a themed apartment building. Many of these buildings have a workout area, just find one and convert it to martial arts.

An alternative idea might be to take over a neighborhood. There is a local company town called Schenectady where the company has been moving out. Property there is dirt cheap but taxes are high. Years ago, well before I started Kendo, I looked at a large 5 bedroom center-hall colonial, hardwood flooring and the works for $90,000. I have more than once thought about purchasing a two family house there, turning the bottom apartment into a dojo and living upstairs.

Expanding on that idea would be to find an area with a closed church or similar structure that could be had for back taxes and a promise to make useful. Most town boards would love to see and area get rebuilt around a culturally interesting idea. You would want to go to the town board and present the idea and get them on your side. Promises to hold cultural events and other things that would bring people from outside. Get tax breaks for people who move into the area who would participate. Work your ass off to make it grow.

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head.