Bringing it Back

By now you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I have a great interest in urbanism and the dynamics of downtowns.

I like to contemplate urban centers and the places where people collect…where they work, live, and congregate. 

There has been a lot written about the future expansion of major cities and metropolitans, and the same can be said for small towns and cities.

Small towns, especially their downtown districts, have always had a strong sense of place and belonging.  In years past, downtowns and main street were the places where people gathered…brunch after church and shopping at the town pharmacy.  There was the soda shop and the shoe store.  They were places where you couldn’t walk down the street without running into someone you knew.

The seventies, eighties, and nineties saw downtown America decline.  Shopping and living patterns changed, and people were drawn out of cities to the shopping malls and sprawl of suburbia.  Many of America’s downtowns died, and are just now being resuscitated. 

A few weeks ago I spent sometime touring one of these typically American towns in the Mid-West, Wapakoneta, Ohio.  I was lucky enough to be shown around town by Greg Myers, the executive director of Wapakoneta’s economic development council.  Wapakoneta has a population of about 10,000 and is the county seat, with a total population of 50,000.  The county and region have a great history…bones of Mastodons were found there and it has a rich and interesting Indian history.  In fact, Wapakoneta gets its name and unconventional street patterns from its Indian heritage.  Several of the town’s streets follow old Indian trails that crossed the area.  As Greg said, “Sometimes it makes getting around the town interesting.”
 

Speaking to Greg brought me back in time to when I was growing up.  He spoke about his town with pride and anecdotes that conjured up images of days gone by.
 

Greg described shopping downtown as a youngster, when Christmas carols were broadcast around town and everyone knew each other.  Those times changed for Wapakoneta when people started shopping at big-box retailers in Dayton and began frequenting shopping malls rather than their local shops.  Shopping patterns changed so much, that people traveled as far as 50 miles to go to malls.

Well, I’m pleased to say that the days of blighted town centers seem to be coming to an end as communities like Wapakoneta make great efforts to bring people and businesses back downtown.

There is a movement sweeping America as local governments across the country are looking back in time to rediscover what made their towns unique and inspiring.  They’re focusing on economic development, real estate development and regeneration.  People are once again looking for that traditional American experience and an authentic life-style that harkens back to mid-twentieth century values.

I for one am thrilled to be commenting on this trend.  I believe in downtown and I’m glad to be providing consulting services to American towns who are implementing revitalization programs.  If you’re going through this process, please give me a call…I’d love to be part of it.