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their business mix, he believes,
<br /> even if they must make an either/or
<br /> choice between Applebee's or
<br /> Chili's, based on their market.
<br /> "Up to a point, [national chains]
<br /> are good," Gann says. "The national
<br /> 3 = chains have a broad following, they
<br /> ice% �E I s� do lots of advertising,they bring
<br /> ' t _ i in traffic, and they do their market
<br /> tgg 1 1 eat ,— research very well. If a national
<br /> Sit chain has an interest in your down-
<br /> 2
<br /> town, that's saying some good
<br /> things.And if you let them in,
<br /> that's going to make your down
<br /> town more attractive to others."
<br /> "A good mix of national chains
<br /> Digital signs on each level of parking at Los Angeles lifestyle center The Grove indicate with local stores is the best bet.That
<br /> how many spaces are available.The technology could be adapted to individual parking gives you something that has some
<br /> lots in downtowns, consultant David Milder observes.Stirling, Scotland is a case in point. broad appeal that these national
<br /> I'm looking for a very strong shopping models either. chains have,but also has something
<br /> downtown, where I am just one "For most communities that's distinctive in terms of the local
<br /> store in what the community con- not going to work," he says. How- retailers,that you might not find
<br /> ciders a destination," Burnes says. ever, in smaller cities where there m the mall:'
<br /> "I think that's the difference. Can is no lifestyle center and probably Contact:John Gann, Gann Associates,
<br /> a downtown compete with Wal- none will be built based on the (800) 762-4266, cirykid @uwalumni.
<br /> art?Absolutely." demographics, "downtown could corn;Kent Burnes,Burnes Consulting,
<br /> (
<br /> "We go to Wal-Mart because we have the best chance to serve as (530)346-818 8, kept @burnesconsult
<br /> have to for certain things,"Burnes the next best thing." ing.com;www burnesconsulting.com,
<br /> says, "But you're not going to be And those downtowns should Peter Gordon, University of Southern
<br /> picking Mrs. Jane up at night and not shut out national tenants from California,pgordon @usc.edu.
<br /> saying, `Look at how I furnished my
<br /> entire self with my Wal-Mart clothes •
<br /> today.'Even though you may have Live/work lofts near transit —continued from pa.'
<br /> gotten a few things there.
<br /> "What you would really like to for its proximity to downtown "Living in the city
<br /> do is go to that downtown district, entertainment and activity as much vogue,"DiRienzo .anta Ana
<br /> take her out to some nice place, an d as to commuter transit.An influx has over 60 �'-` eighborhood
<br /> show a few little hip styles. That's of commuters actually rides in to associati� residents moving
<br /> what specialty downtowns are all work in downtown as well as out, into ntown are forging small
<br /> about," and that's the appeal the as Santa Ana is the county seat. irhoods an d communities."
<br /> lifestyle centers trend is based on, The five-acre location is at An additional transit boon for
<br /> Burnes says. the doorstep of a transit hub for the downtown:A 10-mile light rail
<br /> Amtrak and Metrolink(Ora • line,to be completed•in 2009,will
<br /> Opportunities for smaller County Transportation ) lead from the transit village through
<br /> downtowns? trains between San �' d Los Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, and Irvine,
<br /> Finally, Gann points out,
<br /> Ange-les, DiRie s,but it ending at John Wayne Airport.
<br /> most areas don't have the affluent was also set cause of its
<br /> demographics to support upscale conveni- unity to attrac Change of use meant
<br /> centers, and excepting tion .ding •the civic center, letting go of some history
<br /> 'affluent suburbs, most downtowns district,Artists Village, The developers started negotia
<br /> can't support uniformly upscale Testa Marketplace. tions several years ago with former
<br /> 4 Downtown Idea Exchange ♦ www.DowntownDevelopment,com September 1, 2004
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