ABSTRACT
The resilient downtowns discussed in this book all vary in their physical structure, in the history of their formation, and in the catalytic events that precipitated their decline and eventual renewal. Some of the downtowns such as Wilmington and Santa Fe are as old as the European settlement of the new world. Others like Fort Collins and Chico are relatively new. Many of the downtowns such as Hendersonville, Lafayette, Charlottesville, and Greenville were planned settlements, while some like Holland and Middletown developed organically. Despite these differences, the downtowns all share one commonality: they have all undergone rebirth and are now lively places. In the previous chapters, I have recounted what I considered to be the contributory factors to the resilience of the downtowns in these cities. In my discussions with civic leaders and downtown managers, I also asked for their viewpoints on why their downtowns are resilient. In this chapter, we will hear from the players of this renewal, those civic and downtown managers who have been in the thick of it all. What do they consider to be the reasons behind the health of their downtowns? After paying audience to them, we will revisit the key factors in downtown resilience and construct a scorecard so other communities can determine the resilience index for their downtowns.
