Turning Around "Downtown"

Somehow I missed this report from the Brookings Institution: "Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalization;" when it came out a few months ago. Its 12 steps are applicable to urban revitalization in neighborhood commercial districts, not just in a downtown or "Central Business Districts". I do think the paper could talk a bit more about transparency and participation, but all in all it's informative and useful.

"Though every downtown is different there are still common revitalization lessons that can be applied anywhere. While any approach must be customized based on unique physical conditions, institutional assets, consumer demand, history, and civic intent, this paper lays out the fundamentals of a downtown turnaround plan and the unique "private/public" partnership required to succeed. Beginning with visioning and strategic planning to the reemergence of an office market at the end stages, these 12 steps form a template for returning "walkable urbanity" downtown."

The 12 steps are:

1. Capture the Vision
2. Develop a Strategic Plan
3. Forge a Healthy Private/Public Partnership
4. Make the Right Thing Easy
5. Establish Business Improvement Districts and Other Non-Profits
6. Create a Catalytic Development Company
7. Create an Urban Entertainment District (note: think create "destinations" or "destination activities")
8. Develop a Rental Housing Market (note: think "add residents")
9. Pioneer an Affordable Strategy
10. Focus on For-Sale Housing
11. Develop a Local-Serving Retail Strategy (note: "complemented by the patronage of those attracted to destination activities")
12. Re-create a Strong Office Market (note: think incubation of start-up innovation, "creative class" activities as well)