This posting is part of a series I started on Rustbelt Cities and their revival.
A number of rustbelt cities have attempted to revive their downtowns which became abandoned with the collapse of the primary industry by creating large or mega complexes including new Stadiums, Art Galleries, and employment. These have pumped a lot of dollars into these projects but fail to attract the necessary nucleus of residents to sustain the services required for day-to-day functioning.
Fortunately Hamilton is not at quite such a state. The downtown has some food stores and the Market. Jackson Square has many of the other services required. What may be lacking is a large enough pool of residents to create a demand [and the services which follow] for middle and upper income requirements to keep these open for hours that would allow all newer residents to also use them.
This can be accomplished by encouraging projects like the Piggott Building which brings in this level of clientel into the downtown. The restoration of other old buildings and creating complementary new structures would assist in driving the necessary population size to draw the businesses and thereby change the streetscape with increased walking activity which encourages other business and legitimate activity.
check out this audio link from NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5412132
Ilpo
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