The Downtown Curmudgeon

N. David Milder, founder and president of DANTH, Inc. is a nationally recognized authority on downtown revitalization and a leading proponent of developing market niches. He has more than 35 years of experience utilizing market research and management skills to help revitalize business centers.

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The “Unbonding” of a Growing Number of Creative Workers From Their Employers Can Impact Our Downtowns

Posted on November 8, 2021 by DANTH

By N. David Milder

Introduction

In recent months I have again confirmed my conclusion that remote work is here to stay, and that it will undoubtedly impact our large and suburban downtowns. In the past, I felt this was the case because:

So many more employees now have tried and liked remote work. They also have become much better at it
Major corporations are adapting their operations to it and investing substantial sums in equipment and programming to help assure its optimal performance. This is …
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More on Central Social Districts, a Webinar on Downtown Retail, and an Article on Downtown Retail and Restaurants

Posted on August 27, 2021 by DANTH

More about CSDs from CNU’s Public Square

Rob Steuteville, the editor of CNU’s journal Public Square, recently interviewed David Milder about his article in The ADRR, Strong Central Social Districts: The Keys to Vibrant Downtowns. The interview was published on the Public Square website in two parts, on August 17th and 23rd. David thanks Rob for his great questions that helped him explain more fully CSDs and their importance.

Here’s Part 1: The power of Central Social Districts

Here’s Part 2: …

The Downtown Curmudgeon’s Take on Downtown Central Social Districts

Posted on July 15, 2021 by DANTH

As the readers of this blog probably know, I have spent a lot of time and effort on identifying the components of our Central Social Districts and analyzing what makes them succeed or fail. I’ve dug deeply into public spaces, movie theaters, housing, and various other components in cities large and small.

Recently, I was asked for one article that put it all together. I realized that I did not have one, so I consequently set out to write it. That …

TOWARD MORE SUSTAINABLE DOWNTOWN AND MAIN STREET TOURIST INDUSTRIES

Posted on April 18, 2021 by DANTH

By N David Milder

TOURISM: BOON OR BANE?

Back in 2018, I posted an article with that title to my Downtown Curmudgeon blog. In retrospect, I think it did a fairly decent job of explaining why, though tourism can certainly be very helpful, it is not always a desirable strategic path for economic growth and community well-being. Recently, events such the public disorder caused by spring break tourists have also signaled that not all types of tourism might mesh with a …

Will Urbanized Suburban Downtowns Attain New Levels of Comparative Strength as the Economy Recovers?

Posted on December 5, 2020 by DANTH

By N. David Milder

Going Out on a Limb

Over recent months I’ve been getting a sense that some suburban downtowns may well make relatively strong recoveries from our current virus induced economic crisis, and relatively speaking, stronger even than those of our superstar downtowns. This also prompted me to think that the current and potential strengths of some of these suburban downtowns are too often underestimated and overlooked. I’m venturing to presume that others may also find these thoughts of interest …

N. David Milder at DANTH, Inc.

Downtown Revitalization Specialist

The Downtown Curmudgeon

The “Unbonding” of a Growing Number of Creative Workers From Their Employers Can Impact Our Downtowns

TOWARD MORE SUSTAINABLE DOWNTOWN AND MAIN STREET TOURIST INDUSTRIES