Review of
Revitalization
Strategies

The following is a list of strategies that should be considered when facilitating downtown revitalization. Not all are applicable in all communities.

Financial Strategies

Small business loan assistance
Small business owners often are not familiar with how to obtain financial assistance. To help obtain needed loans, assistance can be provided in analysis of the market, current revenues and debt, and projected needs for cash.

Rehabilitation loans and grants
Subsidized loans or grants for both interior and exterior improvements can be given to assist businesses not able to obtain funds from conventional sources, and are often available at interest rates below conventional terms.

Revolving loan fund
A revolving loan fund is an amount set aside and made available to businesses for approved revitalization projects. As loans are paid off, they are returned to the fund for continuing redistribution to other businesses.

Rehabilitation investment tax credits (RITCs)
These personal income tax credits are available to owners of historic structures used for commercial purposes. Tax credits of 10% and 20% of rehabilitation costs are available for federal taxes; some states also make tax credits available for state income taxes.

Tax abatements
Abatements from local taxes can be made available for business owners who either rehabilitate their structures or build new within a designated area. These designated areas are usually severely deteriorated, and would not attract investment in any other way.

Tax increment financing (TIF)
Tax increment financing directs property tax revenues to a designated blighted district. Increases in tax revenues generated within the district are set aside for improvement projects only within that district.

Physical Improvements Strategies

Design assistance
The city can often provide design assistance, using staff members, to businesses intending to improve their properties.

Streetscape improvements
Leisurely shopping and interaction can be enhanced with the construction and installation of sidewalk benches, trees, and follow-beds, as well as mini-parks in shaded and protected areas.

Historic district
Shoppers are attracted to areas which retain their historic character. Preservation is a viable tool of promotion, and protection of historic structures can most effectively be done through establishment of a regulated historic district.

Functional Strategies

Coordinated downtown promotions
Downtown businesses can benefit by coordinating the promotion of their individual businesses. This can be done through a common logo, promotional flyers and brochures, and common sales.

Coordinated store hours
Retail businesses in a downtown should consciously coordinate their hours so shoppers can easily identify when all downtown businesses will be open. As much as possible, these hours should match competing retail areas (local shopping centers and malls).

Free parking
Parking meters tend to discourage shoppers from browsing shopping. Removing parking meters and timed parking encourages longer stays in the downtown.

Special transportation
Local governments can provide special transportation (buses, vans) to the downtown for special groups, such as elderly shoppers, school children, handicapped, conventioneers, etc., and may tie such service to other popular attractions.

Business owners association
Downtown business owners have many interests in common. These common interests can best be discussed through a common organization.

Awards program
Awards are an excellent (and inexpensive) way to provide the "carrot" to business owners, and encourage them to invest in their businesses in ways that will serve the interests of the entire downtown community.

Training for business owners and merchants
Many small business owners and merchants do not have training or skills in how to run a business. Expertise can be made available through city agencies or private volunteer groups, such as the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

Regular survey of businesses
Through a regular survey of business owners and merchants, and also shoppers, local officials and downtown leaders can monitor how people feel about the downtown area. If the survey follows a similar format from one time to the next, changes in attitudes over time can be observed.

Conduct market studies
As part of an overall technical assistance program, market studies can be used to determine shifts in the types of shoppers potentially attracted to the downtown, as well as what business types are needed and should be encouraged for the appropriate business mix.

Local Government Strategies

City/township/county cooperation
One of the most important strategies a community can develop is for various levels of local government to establish common goals and develop methods for working cooperatively, rather than competitively.

Innovative zoning
Zoning is the most powerful tool of local planning. Rather than zoning maps following patterns of land use development, ordinances can be prescriptive, and written in a way to insist that the downtown area is the only accepted location for certain key businesses and services.

Downtowns: Their Background Rivertown: Its Background
Downtown Organizations People in Rivertown
Problems in Downtowns Issues in Rivertown
Revitalization Strategies Rivertown Strategies
Suggested other pages...
Review of Physical Strategies The need for more study
Tyler Study of Downtowns Bibliography On Downtowns