Downtown Organizations Embrace New Roles in 2012

Jan. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- The January issue of "Downtown Idea Exchange" newsletter looks at the opportunities and challenges for downtown leaders in the New Year.

Tight city budgets and property owners who may be less willing to assess themselves than in the past, will lead downtown organization to take on new roles to ensure the health of their central business districts.

In some cases, this may mean expanding their services. As David Downey, president of the International Downtown Association notes, "Where downtown organizations may have been supplementing municipal services previously, they are being asked to expand on those services or be the primary provider."

In other cases downtown organizations are looking at ways to provide new services and to diversify their business models, says Jamie Licko, president of consulting firm Centro.

These organizations are developing new revenue generating services that enhance the downtown area and contribute to financing day to day operations.

You may read the full trends article online at: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com/dixtrends.php

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About the Downtown Research & Development Center

For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.

The Group's main activities include publishing the widely influential "Downtown Idea Exchange" and "Downtown Promotion Reporter" newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com