ABSTRACT
The physical plan component of a downtown plan should attempts to balance various objectives. Some of them are: protecting and enhancing the downtown's historic or otherwise unique character; developing new buildings and adapting existing buildings to host uses that attract people; enhancing the pedestrian environment, while still accommodating automobiles; and ensuring a safe atmosphere that protects pedestrians, in particular, from crime and automobiles. This chapter presents top downtown planning myths. Some myths are: our downtown just needs one "big ticket" development to turn things around; replacing some existing buildings with parking lots will bring more shoppers downtown; and our strategy for revitalizing downtown should focus on retail. For the purposes of downtown planning, most office uses should be located in the upper floors of buildings because, relative to retail and service uses that can stimulate considerable foot traffic, offices tend to dampen street-level vitality.
