posted on August 23, 2010 09:50
Editor's Note: This week we are happy to have a guest blog provided to us courtesy of Arnold Weinfeld of the Michigan Municipal League (MML). Arnold is an active member of our Michigan Main Street Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the Michigan Sense of Place Council. The MML represents over 500 local units of government in Michigan and was a founding partner in the creation of Michigan Main Street Program.
By Arnold Weinfeld, Director
Strategic Initiatives & Federal Affairs
Michigan Municipal League
Some of you might recognize the title as encompassing the lyrics from that 1964 song by Petula Clark, “Downtown”. When I was asked to write this week’s blog, I started thinking about what the focus should be. Although I was a youngster when this song came out, I remember it well because it was one of the first tunes I could play on my guitar!
My point is that I think the song appropriately reflects the importance of downtowns to our communities, especially now when people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds are coming back to our cities and towns and looking for the excitement and vibrancy that comes with downtowns.
“Downtown -- things will be great when you're
Downtown -- you'll find a place for sure
Downtown -- everything's waiting for you”
“Don't hang around, and let your problems surround you,
There are movie shows
Downtown”
“Maybe you know some little places to go to…. Downtowns”
For me the song brings to mind what our downtowns offer, from art and cultural venues to restaurants and clubs, coffee shops and more, our downtowns are the heart of our communities. The amenities they offer enrich our lives and provide us with an escape.
And the fact is that the size of your city or town doesn’t make a difference. As I have found traveling around our state and through the Michigan Municipal League’s “Center for 21st Century Communities” program, every town has something to offer… every town has its own unique history and culture and offerings.
I have found great pride in the residents of communities across Michigan and can tell you that there are great things going on. From the communities that are supported through the Main Street program to dozens of others across our state, partnerships between the public, private and non-profit sectors are being built to make our communities great places for people to live, work and play. Local officials, DDA directors, economic and community development professionals all play a vital role, along with organizations such as local chambers of commerce.
Its why the organization I work for, the Michigan Municipal League, has partnered with organizations such as MSHDA, other state agencies, private and non-profit organizations on “place-based” strategies that community leaders can implement in their cities and towns. We all have a vital role to play in the resurgence or our communities, but for me it starts with our downtowns.
“The lights are much brighter there,
You can forget all your troubles; forget all your cares, and go
Downtown -- where all the lights are bright
Downtown -- waiting for you tonight
Downtown -- you're gonna be all right now...”