DOWNTOWN HAS ALWAYS been a measure of a city's economic vitality and a reflection of the quality of life throughout the city. Although downtowns have declined as the nation's primary manufacturing centers, the downtowns of America's cities remain important as financial and cultural hubs. To help maintain the economic vitality and quality of life in their cities, leaders in large and small cities across America work continuously to revitalize, or bring new life, to their downtowns. City leaders face many barriers in their efforts, including deteriorating buildings, changing economic and social trends, and money shortages. Despite these barriers, leaders are finding ways to revitalize and transform America's downtowns.

Downtown remains important

Despite the decline suffered since the 1950s, downtowns remain important for many reasons. Although suburban shopping centers have lured thousands of shoppers away from the city, many downtowns are still major commercial centers...