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Does Downtown Revitalization Need the Support of Local Government in This Changing World?

By Doyle G. Hyett and Dolores P. Palma
HyettPalma, Inc.
Making Downtown Renaissance a Reality

The changing world has forced our nation’s local elected officials to take a closer look at not only the protection of their constituents, but also to focus on those local initiatives which can be more realistically managed at the local level to ensure the continued prosperity of communities of all sizes. One such initiative is Downtown revitalization.

As recently noted by Dan Gilmartin, Deputy Director of the Michigan Municipal League, “The one thing that makes cities and towns and villages unique is they have Downtowns.” And, as the custodians of sound community growth and development, local elected officials from communities of all sizes throughout the nation are realizing that smart public policy and community growth management today calls for a progressive effort to ensure that this unique heart of our communities is as healthy as possible — not only for economic prosperity, but simply as a matter of pride.

When local elected officials determine that Downtown enhancement is important:

• The issue takes on added significance and is institutionalized within the overall context of all government concerns;
  
• Other local Downtown players — from foundations to chambers of commerce to property owners to business owners to neighborhood groups to merchants associations — more willingly join the enhancement effort in partnership, since it has been seen time and time again that unless local government supports Downtown revitalization, the initiative has little chance of long-term success;
  
• Lenders take greater notice, understanding the relationship between “government confidence” and “investor confidence,” both of which, when combined, foster a higher level of “lender confidence” in Downtown — which is essential to attain the highest level of economic success; and
  
• Those in higher office, from the statehouse to The Hill, are comforted and are more forthcoming with support for the local initiative, particularly if it is seen as a broad-based, collaborative movement not only supported by all players with a vested interest in Downtown, but also embraced by constituents who put and keep them in office.

So, just like always, a successful Downtown enhancement effort must be supported by a broad-base of local interests, but without City or Town or Village Hall’s support, it will not work. And, as has been proven time and time again — in periods of prosperity and in periods of decline — you can’t have a first-class town without a first-class Downtown.

About the Authors

Doyle G. Hyett and Dolores Palma are the founders of Hyett Palma, Inc., the only national consulting firm specializing in the economic renaissance of Downtowns and older business districts. Since being formed in 1985, the firm’s work has restored confidence and stimulated private investment in hundreds of Downtowns throughout all 50 states. In addition, HyettPalma provides all technical assistance for the America Downtown® program (offered by the National League of Cities) and the Indiana Downtown® program (offered by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns). For more information about the firm, visit www.hyettpalma.com.

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