Downtowns are dead, dying or on life support, says expert with over 50 years of researching urban policy - eviltoast
  • 😈MedicPig🐷BabySaver😈@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    In my small town (15K) in MA, we call it “uptown” and it’s doing great!

    Small theater with plenty of live events. Well used library. New brewpub in the old fire house. New sushi joint. Brand new ice cream shop. Small, but, functional dessert bakery, Pho shop, and soon a new butcher/seafood shop.

    Throw in other restaurants, pizza joints, barber, salon, liquor store.

    Plenty of people living right there also. It’s a very successful New England “village”. There’s even a really nice band stand on the center park where they have all types of activities. Free concerts every Thursday night during Summer and Christmas caroling the Thursday before Christmas.

      • 😈MedicPig🐷BabySaver😈@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Definitely not in town center. There are 2 Walmarts within 15 minutes. 2 Targets also within 15 minutes.

        We also have a NFL stadium in town. It is very isolated in the business/commercial district.

        I’d bet over a million people have been in town and never visited the center of our quintessential New England village.

    • Cihta@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      That actually sounds cool. My experience with downtown areas has been less than positive… more of a maze, everything very overpriced… now that I think about it it’s very similar to a large airport.

      Shame as it’d be nice to just walk around for all your needs… you’d think it would actually be more cost effective.