WE NEED TO DO CONTINGENT PLANNING BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE SURE THAT AN ENTREPRENEURIAL RESURGENCE WILL LEAD US OUT OF THE COVID CRISIS

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By N. David Milder

We Need More Than Pollyannaish or Wishful Thinking for Our Downtowns to Recover and Thrive  

We are in the midst of what many observers have called the deepest crisis this nation has faced in many decades. It has been especially injurious to our downtowns because it has necessitated massive social distancing that makes it impossible for so many downtown entities, — e.g., shops, eateries, offices, movie theaters – to function properly or profitably. In this situation, it is …

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How Covid19 Might Impact Our Small Storefront Operators

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By N. David Milder

Introduction

While I do not believe that brick and mortar retail will disappear, it was becoming of decreasing strength in many, perhaps even most, of our downtowns before the Covid19 crisis appeared. Their leaders needed to recognize that their district’s vitality was increasingly dependent on the firms and nonprofits engaged in its central social district functions such as restaurants, bars, public spaces, theaters, museums, cinemas, senior and childcare centers, houses of worship, etc.  I also argued strongly that …

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Live-Work as a Downtown Population Growth Engine in Independent and Suburban Communities

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By William F. Ryan, University of Wisconsin – Madison/Extension and N. David Milder, DANTH, Inc.

Introduction

Within the downtown revitalization community a broad consensus has formed around the maxim that the greater the number of people who live in our downtowns, the more likely they are to prosper. These residents help to spark the “activation” of the district, providing the visible evidence of people engaging in a variety of activities, and nurturing the perceived sense of vitality among visitors that makes …

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