Are Upstate NY downtowns in trouble? (Buffalo, Rochester: 2009, university, centers)

[ckhthankgod]

Here's an interesting opinion article I came across in the Syracuse Post-Standard:

Reviving Downtowns
Upstate's central business districts need more than a pretty face
By John L. Gann, Jr.
To restore GM to economic viability, the government should spare no expense to restore the lovely facade of the historic General Motors Building in downtown Detroit.
And to make Ford cars competitive with the Japanese, what's needed is money to install designer planter boxes, colorful Ford logo banners, and ornamental pavements around the company's world headquarters in Dearborn.

Moderator cut: Post original content only. Rephrase short articles; post links for long ones. Looked for a link, couldn't find it. If you find the link to this article, please post it.

(Formerly with Extension at Cornell University in Ithaca, John L. Gann, Jr., president of Gann Associates, is a Midwest-based national consultant, speaker and writer on marketing places for economic development. He may be reached at citykid@uwalumni.com.)

[boomvang]

Columnist Sean Kirst wrote an article today in which he offered an alternate theory of downtown revitalization. He postulates that until viable businesses are in place to draw people to the city centers, all attempts to beautify buildings are in vain. Kind of a chicken and egg type of dilemma. Without a reason to come to these areas no amount of structure rehab will have the desired effect. Without a decent infrastructure new businesses will be difficult to attract. A problem, indeed.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by boomvang

Columnist Sean Kirst wrote an article today in which he offered an alternate theory of downtown revitalization. He postulates that until viable businesses are in place to draw people to the city centers, all attempts to beautify buildings are in vain. Kind of a chicken and egg type of dilemma. Without a reason to come to these areas no amount of structure rehab will have the desired effect. Without a decent infrastructure new businesses will be difficult to attract. A problem, indeed.

I read that too. It is a dilemma, but I think that the beautification does help in terms of showing an interest in revitalization in the downtown area. I understand that it is good to invite things that bring people downtown, but I think the appearance gives an impression of the dedication to building downtown up too.

[ckhthankgod]

Here's articles regarding the subject, by the way:Downtown: What really works? - Sean Kirst - syracuse.com

Struggling downtowns like Syracuse's could use uniqueness - syracuse.com

[jfkIII]

Bigger upstate cities (Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton) all have problems as any other city their size. However, the smaller downtowns are thriving nicely. Downtown Hudson, Kingston, Saugerties, Catskill...are just some examples.