more activity and people on the street , and so on ,” he said in the Brookings report . “ Simply put , in a viable downtown , more is better .”
Leinberger also said the private / public partnership created between the city and stakeholders is a vital key to success . He said getting the private sector to take a leading financial role in downtown revitalization is a must .
Leinberger said public officials have to be on board for big redevelopment ideas , but the impetus comes from the private sector .
“ Many , not all , but most public officials are short-term thinkers ,” he said . “ They ’ re looking for the next election , the next ribbon to cut . I ’ m not trying to demonize the public sector , but they ’ re not great developers . The bulk of the money is private money making these things happen .”
In fact , Leinberger said for every $ 1 of public money invested in downtown redevelopment projects , the private sector contributes $ 10 to $ 15 .
“ We have so many great models and they almost all have been led by an organization privately funded ,” he said .
Among the 12 steps outlined by Leinberger in the Brookings report – and reflected in plans for a variety of walkways in Riverfront Esplanade Park – is a focus on “ walkable urbanism ,” a concept he describes as creating places where “ most daily needs can be met within walking distance .”
According to Leinberger , a walkable downtown is at the heart of why so many communities have focused on revitalization projects .
He said the fact that so many communities like Daytona Beach are making downtown revitalization a key focus “ is testament to the emotional commitment to our urban heritage and the pent-up consumer demand for walkable , vibrant places in which to live and work .”
That consumer appeal is why commercial developers have been eager to participate in many downtown projects .
“ Not only is it something that the market wants , this is going to be a major driver of tax revenues and the net fiscal impact of those taxes ,” he said
Jerry Parrish , chief economist with the Florida Chamber Foundation , also sees a lot of positives in Daytona Beach ’ s efforts and approach to revitalizing downtown .
“ Having a public-private partnership indicates Jerry Parrish to me that the private sector values it ,” he said . “ That ’ s always a good sign where the government doesn ’ t have to come up with all the money .” Parrish also pointed to the changes in work wrought by the coronavirus outbreak , especially the transition to virtual meetings and the use of new technologies .
“ One of the things Covid is telling us is it ’ s even more important for cities to be livable ,” he said . “ I can live any place I want to .”
Parrish said that is especially important in attracting younger , high-skilled workers in technology-based fields .
“ When a higher percentage of people are going to be able to telecommute to work , it ’ s going to be more important to have a nice , livable city ,” he said .
“ Then it is more likely you ’ ll get young people and companies moving in ,” he said . “ The attractiveness of a place to live is going to be the be all and end all here .”
Aaron London is a reporter and columnist who has covered business and economics for 27 years . He has worked for newspapers in Ohio and Florida and is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College .
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