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P L A N N I N G F O R MINNESOTA ' S F U T U R E
<br /> own own eve o men Guiding t
<br /> Cities know that a healthy downtown is an essential component of a healthy community.
<br /> Healthy downtowns mean flourishing economies, strong histories, and distinct identities for unique
<br /> communities. At the core of every successful downtown are several guiding principles.
<br /> By Kent Robertson
<br /> city's downtown district embodies the in place, the vision helps guide the city in de-
<br /> heritage of a community. A city's very termining the need, importance, location, and
<br /> image is often identified with the look design of future revitalization proposals.
<br /> and vitality of its main street. The down- Balance public and private commitment. Suc-
<br /> town district usually contains many cessful downtown development is best achieved
<br /> of the oldest and most significant build- when it combines a city government dedicated
<br /> ings, and is often where many important to downtown improvement with an active
<br /> community events and celebrations take downtown association. The city can demon-
<br /> place.Economically, a strong downtown serves strate its commitment by investing in public
<br /> to maintain the city's tax base and protects past improvements such as sidewalks, streetlights,
<br /> public investments. Cities need a center, or and infrastructure and by providing incentives
<br /> • gathering place, to function as a community. for business expansion and building facade im-
<br /> Cities without centers, which includes a major- provements (i.e., a low interest revolving loan
<br /> ity of suburbs, have begun to explore possibili- fund). The downtown association can address
<br /> ties for creating a traditional core area. Cities those areas best left to the private sector, such as
<br /> possessing a traditional center are engaged in the marketing, promotions, and recruitment, and
<br /> never-ending struggle to maintain and revitalize serve as a unified voice for the needs of down-
<br /> the core. This article offers nine guiding prin- town business interests.
<br /> ciples for successful downtown development in Be patient. Revitalization is a gradual pro-
<br /> small cities of less than 75,000 population. cess that does not happen overnight. It usually
<br /> Develop a vision for downtown. Countless cit- encompasses a series of small improvements
<br /> ies make the mistake Main Street over an extended pe-
<br /> of forging ahead with Hastings, Minnesota riod of time, each of
<br /> redevelopment efforts � � a �� � which may not gener-
<br /> without a clear sense 1 ' � ' ate a great deal of•
<br /> of community needs, « ,` '. � hoopla. For example,
<br /> ideas, or visions. Indi- _ _ improvements like
<br /> vidual projects are
<br /> one or two building
<br /> usually implemented in . - owners improving
<br /> a vacuum without they ,; their facades, hanging
<br /> context of a long-term '? :; - l 1_r,..� flower baskets along
<br /> downtown plan.
<br /> � '� °' „� ,,,� , s f main street, or the
<br /> Through extensive a �a c 1' , creation of a directory
<br /> discussion, debate, and r ,, of downtown busi-
<br /> consensus building, ��__�'�. �' -+� n nesses will probably
<br /> city officials should ` i t t'
<br /> .4 ? not merit front page
<br /> ty r ,;d ®. - p g
<br /> work closely with ' '' _ ,`^" S " q newspaper coverage.
<br /> downtowninterests �-+ In fact, the revitaliza-
<br /> and the community �; �: fi ton process may be so
<br /> III at-large to create a A; l� . - �� � "‘;41.4-,77i:-;:._,-''.,, ,, gradual that it goes
<br /> long-term vision for
<br /> ,� � �s �� ��, �„r ' �, unnoticed by many
<br /> their downtown. Once _ ,
<br /> ;, citizens. However, af-
<br /> OCTOBER 1 9 9 7 MINNESOTA CITIES 9
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