Essay on Downtown Revitalization in Small Cities

Downtown revitalization is a common trend that most small cities use to enhance city status. In any process of downtown revitalization, there is need to engage the local community in enhancing the project success. It is recommended that a bottom-up approach is used to increase local community input, unlike the top-down approach. According to a report developed by Smart Growth America (2015), conducting research is also critical to revealing information regarding the market and demographics. It is this research that will help establish the specific goals for downtown revitalization.

Among the important goals that have been recommended by Smart Growth America (2015) is to establish an attractive environment. An attractive environment entails a social attractiveness and physical attractiveness. Downtown revitalization has to enhance the quality of life in the area through promotion of employment, the establishment of job opportunities, activation of space and establishment of sustainable development. Transport and access to the downtown are critical as this is part of the revitalization goals. Another important strategy discussed by EPA (2015) is the consideration of incentives to encouraged redevelopment as well as attracting investment to a revitalized city. In case such incentives are absent, revitalization goals might not be achieved. For instance, Smart Growth America (2015) argues that local government can develop a revenue strategy to attract entrepreneurs and other potential investors.

Revitalization riverfronts as a means of revitalization downtown

Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem (2014) developed a proposal for the revitalization of Salem City. Improvement of the general appearance of the city, improvement of the vitality of the central business district economy and improving river-oriented uses. This is a perfect example of revitalization where a river-front is incorporated into a plan. In the plan, the need to have the support of the local community as well as the local government has been addressed. A riverfront committee was established to serve as an advisory organ for the local government. The riverfront committee was also required to work closely with other committees such as the downtown development board. Establishment of boards is important as it helps to take into account the inputs from different members of the public. Elsewhere, revitalization of the Hudson riverfront was aimed at improving conservation, improving environmental health and triggering community prosperity (Anzevino et al., 2010).

According to Anzevino et al., (2010), promotion of riverfront development is beneficial for downtowns with existing infrastructure. Riverfront development also entails promotion of infill development and developments next to transportation hubs. It is extremely important to consider redevelopment of the places with wastewater or drinking water infrastructure. There is need to upgrade this infrastructure to sustain a proposed riverfront revitalization program comfortably. Both Anzevino, et al., (2010) and Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem (2014) concur with Smart Growth America (2015) that an initial study is important before any revitalization program. Maps should be used for the planning process and updated where necessary. It is also important to include technological intervention such as geographic positioning systems (GIIS) to enhance position accuracy. Anzevino et al. (2010) have also argued that revitalization might demand complex engineering processes thus requires a funding source which may include the local government, non-governmental organizations or the federal government.

Basing on the approach adopted by Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem (2014), it is evident that the targeted area for revitalization has communities which have priorities. As much as every community desires a better life, Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem (2014) recommends both active and passive community participation to increase the success rates of a revitalization program.

Examples of riverfront revitalization

The Hudson riverfront revitalization had three main goals that included; restoration and rehabilitation of wildlife; shoreline restoration and rehabilitation; and improvement of the ecological functions as well as the quality of the water resource (Anzevino et al., 2010). According to Anzevino, et al. (2010), the city of Kingston was also transformed through a waterfront revitalization project in 1992. It has been established that the water-related activities stand out as one of the attractions in the district. Revitalization of the Kingston city enhanced access to the Hudson Maritime Museum as well as the Trolley Museum. The status of the sandy beach at Kinston was also improved with well-maintained footpaths. Revitalization also provided avenues for hosting festivals and other social events in parks such as the Gallo Park. Waterfront revitalization in Bluff Overlay district in the town of Lloyd aimed at improving the scenic resources. The project was proposed in 1993 on the shores of Hudson River. Llyod has numerous aesthetic and natural resources which could only be protected through conservation and rehabilitation. Similarly, the revitalization included construction of roads, the establishment of parks and allocating zones for the creation of homes. Promotion of urban planning and sustainable designs was the main goal for revitalizing the Yonkers riverfront.

Effects of efforts

From the provided examples, it has been established that the revitalization projects had one main goal of improving development (Anzevino et al., 2010). Efforts of revitalization in areas such as the Yonkers riverfront exposed the citys potential. The shoreline had for long been used as an industrial park and most parts considered derelict. However, revitalization proved to be an important approach towards the rehabilitation of the waterfront. From the four examples provided, riverfront revitalization enhanced the scenic views of the areas. Also, targeted areas were subjected to rehabilitation which improved the quality of water. Areas such as the City of Kingston experienced improved status and enhanced uses of water. Important social amenities like resting parks were also established during the Kingston riverfront revitalization. The revitalization program creates business opportunities in small cities which also increase employment opportunities.

Conclusion

Riverfront revitalization is a good opportunity for revitalizing small cities. Examples from small cities like Kingston and Lloyd proves that riverfront revitalization can be beneficial to the city of Stevens Point in Central Wisconsin. The city needs to be connected to the downtown to revitalize the city in a similar way used to revitalize small cities along the Hudson River. Connecting the river to the city will increase water uses as well as create incentives for protecting and preserving the waterfront. To achieve long-term success, there is need to adopt an integrated approach that appreciates community input. The main reason for considering public participation is to increase the success rate of the project and ensure sustainable development. Therefore, the project has to take into account the needs or challenges of the local community, the strengths of the local community and the suggestions of the local community as far as downtown and river-front revitalization is concerned.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Anzevino, J., Curran, R., Eisenman, T., Gruber, S., Miller, D., Slaughter, J., et al. (2010). Revitalizing Hudson riverfronts. Retrieved from Scenic Hudson: https://www.dos.ny.gov/opd/programs/pdfs/Guidebooks/Revit_Hudsonguide.pdf

EPA. (2015). Small towns and cities can use local assets to rebuild their economies: Lessons from successful places. Retrieved from United States Environmental Action Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/competitive_advantage_051215_508_final.pdf

Smart Growth America. (2015). (Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization. Retrieved from https://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/app/legacy/documents/rebuilding-downtown.pdf

Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Salem. (2014). River-front downtown renewal plan: Urban renewal agency of the City of Salem, Oregon. Retrieved from http://www.cityofsalem.net/CityDocuments/riverfront-downtown-urban-renewal-plan.pdf