For Economic Growth, Make Downtown Revitalization a Priority for the Holidays and Beyond

Successful downtown revitalization helps rebuild the heart of a community, often restoring buildings and public spaces central to community nostalgia and historical commerce. Revitalization projects offer a unique blend of past and present when executed well, creating unique opportunities for residential and business growth. However, downtowns are a frequently underutilized asset in the economic developer’s toolkit. A thriving community core with well-maintained public spaces and mixed-use growth provides a vibrant option for shopping, dining, and living and can often create a show-stopping holiday experience drawing in local foot traffic and regional or out-of-state visitors.

Getting started with downtown revitalization

According to a Brookings Institute research brief on revitalizing downtowns, successful efforts focus on “walkable urbanism,” or a mix of housing, shops, hotels, entertainment, and restaurants. Essentially, dynamic downtowns contain the necessities residents require for daily life while also featuring a blend of fun entertainment and dining options with appeal for both locals and out-of-town guests. Getting started requires taking stock of existing assets and identifying opportunities for growing and developing public amenities, businesses, and housing. Formulate a strategic plan, and develop projects ranging from easy improvements to long-term developments.

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