Organizing the Downtown
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of any revitalization effort is to create the organizational framework that brings together various interest groups and individuals. Each group comes to the table with its own agenda and sphere of interest. The merchants association may be interested in the promotion of retail sales, the Chamber of Commerce in job creation, and city government in providing municipal services. Without coordination, these efforts may not be supportive of each other, and in some cases may be at odds. Downtown organizers should attempt to bring these groups together and reorganize them under an umbrella organization that deals directly and exclusively with the concerns of downtown.
