Press Releases

Many downtowns simply lack the will needed for downtown revitalization

(Boonton, NJ, August 4, 2005) — A subtle change began to manifest itself in the late 1980s and early 1990s that has even yet to reach a crescendo; many people got bored with suburbia and want to live downtown again.

Commenting in the Perspectives Column in the July 15 issue of “Downtown Idea Exchange” newsletter, Christopher Leinberger, of the Brookings Institution, notes that people are looking for a “walkable urbanity” which, he describes as many different uses, from housing to restaurants, work to sports venues, museums to universities, all within walkable distance and in a pedestrian-friendly pattern.

Downtowns have the unique opportunity to provide this “walkable urbanity,” says Leinberger, but what many lack is the will to make the Herculean effort required to revitalize downtown. “If bringing back downtown isn’t the number-one or number-two priority, it’s not going to work.”

The full text of the commentary is available at http://www.downtowndevelopment.com/perspectives.php.

Downtown Idea Exchange is a twice-monthly newsletter reporting on downtown problems and solutions in an effort to provide a focus for revitalizing the central business districts of towns and cities.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com