Downtowns as Identity Boosters

Here is an interesting article on how Front Range Colorado communities are trying to enhance their identity through strengthening their downtowns.

I really like downtowns and would like to see them flourish nationwide, but over the past 25 years and even longer, they (downtowns) have been at odds with the major market forces (retail, housing, and yes even entertainment and recreation) that downtowns must harness to be successful.

My advice to any community seeking to rebuild its downtown is to understand the market forces giving direction to suburbanization, and to identify clear strategies that will change the momentum of market growth of housing, entertainment, and retail opportunities over time within a regon. Anything effort short of that is a sheer waste of public resources.