San Francisco's downtown area has experienced a decline in tax revenues and an increase in social issues due to the remote work trend [25e39e37]. The monofunctional nature of downtown areas in the United States has made it challenging to repurpose them. However, experts suggest transforming downtown areas into vibrant neighborhoods that cater to the needs of residents. This could involve converting office buildings into high-density residential dwellings and creating appealing public spaces. The size and design of existing downtown buildings present a challenge in implementing these transformations [25e39e37].
In addition to the challenges faced by downtown areas, several small towns in Oregon, including St. Paul, Dunes City, Gaston, Condon, Maywood Park, Detroit, and Gates, are experiencing population decline due to various factors such as high taxes, crime rates, aging population, unemployment, limited job opportunities, and economic downturn [e7738108]. These towns have historical significance, natural beauty, and cultural attractions, but the challenges they face have led residents to seek better prospects elsewhere. Efforts are being made to recover and attract new residents to these towns [e7738108].
Furthermore, the small college town of Fredonia in Chautauqua County, New York, has also experienced a decline in population and student enrollment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic [8107a6c7]. The State University of New York at Fredonia, a major employer in the area, has experienced a decrease in revenue and student spending. The economic impact of the university and other top employers in the region is significant. The article explores the challenges faced by small towns, including aging infrastructure, economic decline, drug addiction, and lack of support from government officials. Despite these troubles, the article emphasizes the resilience and optimism of small-town residents [8107a6c7].
Downtown St. Louis is facing a 'doom loop' in its real estate market, with abandoned buildings and vacant lots. The decline in downtown St. Louis has been ongoing for decades due to population loss, competition from suburban offices, and failed urban planning. The pandemic further worsened the situation, with a steep drop in foot traffic and the rise of remote work. Real estate developers are trying to revitalize the city by selling its largest buildings to new developers, but the prices have significantly dropped. However, there are positive developments in the Midtown district, which is receiving billions in investments, and the Grand Center Arts District, which is emerging as an exciting arts district. The potential sale of the Millennium Hotel and efforts to fill vacant properties offer hope for revitalization [429cf4b1].
Detroit's downtown has experienced a similar 'doom loop' in the past, but it has now become a model for urban reinvention. In the 1980s and 1990s, downtown Detroit faced a decline with residents leaving and office towers emptying out. However, the city's economic position has significantly improved. Home prices have risen, and there has been an increase in new residents and businesses. The downtown area is filled with historic buildings that are being converted into housing and renovated for office use. Billionaire Dan Gilbert has invested billions into revitalizing the city's downtown, including building a mixed-use skyscraper at the site of the old Hudson's department store. General Motors is also moving its headquarters closer to the residential buildings downtown. Detroit's economic turnaround is attributed to factors such as walkable neighborhoods, public transportation, green spaces, and businesses catering to local needs. The city's downtown is now seen as a model for other cities undergoing urban reinvention [9f5d9285].
Drive through almost any town in America and you’ll see the same glossy plastic signs. Chain restaurants, chain hardware stores, big box grocery stores, and corporate gas stations dominate the economy. Small businesses on main streets are struggling, and profits are being sent offshore. The Infrastructure for Shared Ownership research team has found creative solutions for small businesses to take back Main Street, including shared services cooperatives, worker-owned cooperatives, conscious consolidation, and upgraded legal and financial structures. These solutions aim to create value that benefits the entire ecosystem, preserve local businesses, and promote shared ownership and responsible stewardship. Examples include CarpetOne, a cooperative of independently-owned flooring stores, and Goodworks Evergreen, which acquires and integrates locally-rooted small businesses. Steward-ownership models, such as the one used by Clegg Auto, combine employee ownership with a perpetual purpose trust to protect assets and ensure long-term mission impact. Additionally, alternative financial systems like Sardex in Sardinia are being used to facilitate direct trade between businesses using complementary currencies. By implementing these solutions, there is hope for revitalizing Main Street and reversing the troubling trends of wealth concentration, community fragmentation, and environmental destruction.
To address the decline of downtown areas and small towns, it is crucial to consider innovative approaches to urban planning and community development. This includes repurposing existing spaces to meet the changing needs of residents and creating appealing public spaces that foster a sense of community. It is also important for government officials to provide support and resources to these areas to facilitate their recovery and attract new residents. By revitalizing downtown areas and small towns, we can create vibrant and thriving communities that contribute to the overall well-being of the region [25e39e37], [e7738108], [8107a6c7], [429cf4b1], [9f5d9285], [6eac69b3].
Cities need to diversify their downtowns and embrace their historic role as centers of enterprise and innovation. The post-pandemic economy has made working from home a structural feature, so cities must go beyond converting office space for residential purposes. They should link downtown revival with the mega-trends and federal spending reshaping the US economy, such as reshoring of production, decarbonization, and investments in climate, defense, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Downtowns can become platforms for innovative universities, health-care facilities, industrial companies, research centers, startups, and scale-ups. Examples include Newark's HAX incubator, Chicago's Fulton Labs, Syracuse's HII engineering facility, and Dayton's Infinity Labs. Federal and state infrastructure investments can enable mixed-use innovation campuses by reconfiguring freeways and leveraging underutilized publicly owned parcels. Federal leadership is crucial to scaling these efforts [f0b75862].
Leaders in the Donalsonville area are urging business owners to take advantage of tax credits before they expire. In January 2021, the city of Donalsonville received the rural zone designation, which is set to expire in 2026. The designation is part of a statewide initiative to boost the economies of qualifying rural downtown areas. Business owners located in downtown Donalsonville could qualify for tax credits, and the chamber of commerce is reaching out to them to inform them about the opportunity. To qualify for tax credits, business owners need to be located in specific downtown areas, create at least two full-time jobs, and rehabilitate their building in some way. Some business owners may also qualify for other grants, such as rehabilitation tax credits or investment tax credits. The goal is to boost the town's economy and make it a better place to live. Business owners are encouraged to reach out to the local chamber of commerce for more information [440d4f42].
TED Radio Hour shares stories about bringing new life to abandoned places. The speakers discuss topics such as animals evolving to survive as humans change the planet, building a circular economy by reusing materials, Detroit remaking itself by transforming vacant lots into green spaces, and the impact of melting ice on polar bears. The episodes feature speakers like Manoush Zomorodi, James Delahoussaye, Sanaz Meshkinpour, Rachel Faulkner White, and Matthew Cloutier [1be5eb43].