Downtown Economic (Re)development Questions

Is activity just relocated, or can new economic activity be created

downtown?

Can downtown be redeveloped?

• Are market forces pulling commercial activity to the periphery too strong?

• Easton / City Center example in Columbus…• Can housing be developed downtown? • Is it a necessary complement to commercial

activity downtown? • Do you need both a daytime population and a

nighttime population to drive downtown redevelopment?

Who realistically can be served by a downtown Springfield?

• Residents?• Office workers?• Tourists?• Do you need all 3?• Is there enough “density” downtown?• During the day? At night?• Do you need an “anchor”?• E.g. Nationwide Arena in Columbus?

What role for local government?

• Any? (“if the private sector won’t develop, what makes us believe that a government push will do it?)

• Tax abatements? • Infrastructure? (wirelesss, parking, shuttle

transportation…)

What are the existing assets and liabilities of downtown Springfield?

• Do we have enough “creative class” people to make downtown attractive?

• Arts, music, coffee shops, bars, etc…..• Can a student clientele be attracted

downtown? • What products will they consume?