I see what you're saying.
Do you have forward thinking elected officials that would move forward?
I believe that it's possible because it happened in my town.
Repurpose and reuse.
Our downtown area in the 80's was in such bad shape.
The burbs were where people were moving and left downtown in the dust.
The homeless were hopping of the nearby train station in the winter.
Shops had closed.
Buildings boarded up.
Nobody went downtown.
Luckily, we had a vision 'reborn.'
And when I say we (tooting my own horn) I mean it.
I served on a board to open a children's museum downtown in an abandoned group of shops.
Two of the larger shopping buildings (JC Penney and Maas Bros)was purchased and repurposed into offices.
One houses Publix IT department and the other houses another business.
Shortly thereafter, Merrill Lynch repurposed one of the older buildings into their main office in Lakeland.
The children's museum I helped establish back in the mid 80's is now in the old repurposed Kress Store and is amazing!
There was the purchase of the oldest hotel in Lakeland by a big money family and was turned into a fine dining restaurant,
The Terrace Hotel. (my classically trained chef/son worked there)
Hipsters opened 'kewl' restaurants.
Every Saturday morning there's a market downtown.
The streets are closed off and it's so much fun.
Organic vegetables, owner made items, repurposed furniture, performances by varied groups, small food trucks, etc.
First Friday was started as a celebration to begin every month with open shops and restaurants.
https://visitcentralflorida.org/events/lakeland-first-fridaySecond Thursdays are Food Truck Rallies.
Coffee Shops are plentiful.
Lake Morton in downtown Lakeland now has a botanical garden that brings in loads of photographers, weddings and more
It's a botanical garden featuring neoclassical architecture, fountains & a variety of plants.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34373-d519928-Reviews-Hollis_Garden-Lakeland_Florida.htmlThe symphony has concerts in the downtown park.
Bring your blanket, chairs, wine and have a great time.
Munn Park is decorated during the holidays and it's been a fun tradition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW3nMo17PDYSNOWFEST for FL kids!
http://www.theledger.com/news/20161203/snowfest-2016-gives-lakeland-residents-white-christmas-for-dayThe Federal Building was renovated into another restaurant.
All kept the integrity of the original buildings.
Downtown Lakeland FLI'm really proud of what our city has done with it's properties not only in downtown but further out.
Like the use of the older abandoned mall turned into one of those mega churches.
I'm not a fan of mega churches but if it kept the old mall from being sitting unused and brings people into the area, then I'm all for it.
Alot has to do with having officials and business owners that are willing to apply for matching grants and to be forward thinking.
If you don't have those types of officials, then GOTV and elect ones that do.
Cities that are moving forward with the above idea's find that businesses are more apt to consider moving there, which brings in more jobs, which in turn brings in more people.
The circle.
I guess you can tell I like my hometown.
<smile>
Close to everything but far enough away.