Press Releases

Small-city downtowns can benefit from their distinctive characteristics

(Boonton, NJ, May 2, 2006) — Cities large and small see a healthy downtown as integral to their overall heritage, tax base, sense of community and place, identity, economic development appeal, and image. Yet many downtowns in smaller cities share features that set them apart from their larger cousins. While some of these differences can present special challenges, others can be viewed as assets that provide distinctive opportunities for successful downtown development.

• Small-city downtowns tend to be of a more human scale.

• Small-city downtowns usually are not plagued with big city problems.

• Small-city downtowns are typically closely linked to nearby neighborhoods.

• Small-city downtowns mostly lack large signature projects.

• Small-city downtowns generally possess a higher percentage of their older building stock.

• Small-city downtowns are not usually divided into districts.

• Small-city downtowns tend to possess a different retail structure.

In the April 15 issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter, Kent Robertson, professor of community development at St. Cloud State University, explains that distinctiveness — how your downtown differs from the competition — is a key ingredient to establishing a strong sense of place that is so essential to a healthy downtown in smaller cities.

The full text of the article is online at http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com/perspectives.php.

About Downtown Idea Exchange

Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter reports on downtown problems and solutions in an effort to provide a focus for revitalizing our cities.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com