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Blog :: Planning and Zoning Tips
Tip : Size not a Factor in Creative Downtown Development
Posted: 5/14/08 :: By: Neil Erwin
Upstate Downtowns 
Ruston (Bottom), Logansport (Top, Middle), Grand Cane (Top, R.)
Size is no Barrier to Creative Downtown Development
Three Upstate Louisiana communities of differing sizes are taking aggressive new steps to develop their historic downtown cores while preserving their unique character and charm.
Ruston ('07 pop. 22,287) is implementing its innovative Tech Village mixed-use district to link Louisiana Tech University and the historic Downtown Ruston.
Logansport ('05 pop. 1,623) is moving on two fronts: actively enforcing property standards ordinances to require downtown fix-up, and acting as catalyst by funding downtown façade face lifts through painting and awning additions.
Grand Cane ('07 pop. 191), having earlier instituted architectural controls for its historic downtown district, now is building on the successful massing of new downtown restaurants and shops and improvements to the Back Alley Community Theater.
These efforts reflect national trends toward average sized cities experiencing new attention and growth, precisely because of their balance of small town character with proximity to larger city commerce. See a useful article in USA Today, 5/4/2008, "Cities balance Character, Commerce," http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-05-04-newboomtown_N.htm.
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