The Great DowntownThe Great Downtown

Enabling Revitalization by Breaking the Enabling Revitalization by Breaking the RulesRules

Does planning create great places Does planning create great places or homogenous places?or homogenous places?

Unique

Engaging

Exciting

Inviting

Unexpected

Active

Vibrant

Economics Economics and and

Aesthetics:Aesthetics:

Not always Not always opposed to opposed to each othereach other

Industrial Industrial ArtsArts

Jerome, AZ

Estes Park, CO

Are activities such as glass blowing or ornamental iron work an industrial use?

Where do we place the city’s Where do we place the city’s anchors?anchors?

Aberdeen, SD Beloit, KS

Kearney, NE

The bad side of public spacesThe bad side of public spaces

Jamestown, ND

Cincinnati, OH

Large public buildings can suck the life out of the street, even when designed by a famous architect.

Some uses simply do not belong Some uses simply do not belong downtowndowntown

Hattiesburg, MS

Pocket ParksPocket Parks

Russell, KS

Rock Springs, WY

AutomobilAutomobile Sales e Sales and and Repair Repair

Where do you go Where do you go when your car is when your car is being fixed? being fixed?

Top: Trinidad, CO Bottom: Mandan, SD

Why are we so quick to take down gas Why are we so quick to take down gas stations?stations?

Ogallala, NE

Salida, CO

Hays, KS

Are balconies Are balconies a public nuisance?a public nuisance?

Albuquerque, NM

Top: Durango, COBottom: New Orleans, LA

Uniform setbacks were never Uniform setbacks were never universaluniversal

Mineral Point, WI

Façade Façade MaterialMaterialss

No metal No metal buildings.buildings.

Jackson, MS

Hot Springs, SDRight: Alliance, NE

Too many colors? Too many colors?

Too bold?Too bold?

Buena Vista, CO Tucson, AZ

Encroachment on Public PropertyEncroachment on Public Property

Santa Fe, NMBaraboo, WI

Projecting, Pole, and Rooftop SignsProjecting, Pole, and Rooftop Signs

We have created exceptions for ‘historic’ signs because they have become iconic. Will anybody ever describe the signs we allow today as iconic?Tucson, AZ Salina, KS

Williston, ND

Neon and Moving SignsNeon and Moving Signs

Salida, CO Jackson, WY Ocean Springs, MS

‘‘A’ Frame Signs and A’ Frame Signs and MenuMenu Boards Boards

Idaho Falls, ID

Buena Vista, CO

Dangling Things:Dangling Things:Pennants, Wind Socks, Flags, Etc.Pennants, Wind Socks, Flags, Etc.

Silverton, CO

Georgetown, CO

Santa Fe, NM

Street BannersStreet Banners

Manhattan, KS

Aberdeen, SD

Often the bane of transportation departments, suspended banners can help to create a festive environment and inform the public of upcoming events.

Advertising on Public PropertyAdvertising on Public Property

Russell, KS

Hot Springs, SD

Top: Ocean Springs, MSBottom: Marshfield, WI

Outdoor Merchandise DisplaysOutdoor Merchandise Displays

San Francisco, CA Toronto, ON

Placing merchandise on the sidewalk blurs the line between public and privatespace. It encourages people to take their time, stroll, view the merchants’wares, and enter the shops.

Street Vending Street Vending

Madison, WI New Orleans, LA

Narrow streets are not all that badNarrow streets are not all that bad

Downieville, CA Bay St. Louis, MS

An American woonerf?

You can make any wide street narrowYou can make any wide street narrow

Palmyra, WI

Do roads really need to follow a straight Do roads really need to follow a straight path?path?

A jog in the road can create visual interest and slow traffic, which is as good for business as it is for pedestrians.

Trinidad, CO Columbia, MS

Obstacles can be intriguingObstacles can be intriguing

Mazomanie, WICincinnati, OH

How much light do we really need?How much light do we really need?

Too little?

Too Much?

Carmel, CA

Chicago, IL

Is angled parking all that bad?Is angled parking all that bad?

Buena Vista, CO Columbia, MS

Bypassing DowntownBypassing Downtown

Chadron, NE Hazen, ND

We are often told that bypasses divert truck traffic which only detracts from the experience of visiting downtown. In reality, it diverts much more.

Streets – One Way ParallelsStreets – One Way Parallels

When does the width of the right-of-way and the volume of traffic justify removinghalf of the potential customers from in front of a downtown’s businesses?

Toronto, ON Jackson, MS

Redevelopment – Large or Small Redevelopment – Large or Small Scale?Scale?

Delafield, WI

ProcessProcessEasy Easy Cheap Cheap Quick Quick NecessaryNecessary

Michael Stumpf, AICP, CEcDMichael Stumpf, AICP, CEcDR.A. Smith & Associates, Brookfield, R.A. Smith & Associates, Brookfield,

WIWIwww.rasmith.comwww.rasmith.commichael.stumpf@rasmith.commichael.stumpf@rasmith.com(262) 317-3202(262) 317-3202