Downtowns in small cities have faced economic problems since the 1950s, with businesses moving to the suburbs or closing down due to the popularity of shopping centers and discount superstores. However, in the past 20 years, there has been a revival in small-city downtowns, with more people and businesses choosing to live and work there. This shows a commitment to creating vibrant urban communities. The article discusses ways for real estate professionals and planners to help small-city downtowns thrive economically. Downtown areas used to be popular for shopping, working, and entertainment, but many businesses moved to the suburbs, leaving downtowns empty and rundown. Small downtowns face challenges in attracting development and visitors. Revitalization strategies aim to make downtowns more attractive by improving the area’s design and making it more pedestrian-friendly. This includes adding public art, nice sidewalks, outdoor dining, and other things to make the area more appealing for people to visit. 1) Historic preservation is important for keeping old buildings that are part of a city’s unique identity. They help show the history of the city and can make the area more valuable.
2) Waterfront development means making the area near the water more accessible and enjoyable for people. This can include building things that fit well with the surroundings and mixing different types of uses in the area.
3) Building offices in a downtown area can help make the area better and attract new businesses. This can also bring in more young, creative people who will make the area more lively and interesting. It can also lead to more mixed-use buildings with both shops and homes. 1) Hold fun events like music shows, art markets, and cultural fairs to bring in lots of people from outside the city.
2) Improve transportation in the downtown area by offering trams, shuttle buses, and bike lanes to make it easier for people to get around without cars.
3) Make sure downtown has a mix of things to do like living, shopping, working, and entertainment, so there are always people around. To help small-city downtowns grow, experts can use unique features and history, like a city’s historic nature or cultural heritage, to develop a vision for economic redevelopment. They need help from both private and public groups to succeed. In Florida, local governments are responsible for creating plans that guide how land is used and developed. These plans need to be updated regularly and undergo a review process every seven years. The goal is to promote balanced growth, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life for residents. Cities can also create redevelopment agencies to revitalize areas that are struggling economically. This can involve using eminent domain to get rid of run-down buildings. The state also encourages economic development in various forms, like attracting new businesses and creating jobs. Downtown areas are important for communities and efforts to revitalize them require cooperation from many different parties. Harry M. Hipler is a lawyer in Dania Beach who works on cases involving city laws, family issues, and business disputes. He got his law degree in 1975 and a special tax law degree in 1981. This column is written on behalf of the City, County and Local Government Law Section, with the goal of teaching lawyers to serve the public and improve the justice system.
Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/economic-redevelopment-of-small-city-downtowns-options-and-considerations-for-the-practitioner/
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