If the synergy (correct wording) has been destroyed for downtowns everywhere, it wasn’t the Trump Virus that killed it, but the irrational response of the republican party to the virus!
World War II ended relatively abruptly. There were several months between V-E Day and V-J Day after years of fighting.
So after the Great Depression and after the war, the pent-up desire for consumer goods was finally released and we went on a buying splurge.
With the pandemic, it’s different. It won’t end; it will fade away. Unlike V-E Day or V-J Day, we won’t be able to point to a calendar and say, “It ended here; start celebrating.”
Folks who used to be called walk-in traffic aren’t there anymore. People buy nearer home, pick it up at the curb, or have it delivered. That is, those who can afford it. The numbers who need help have increased tremendously, while the population that used to be able to help has shrunk. A lot of time will pass before the balance is anywhere near its former level.
Prayers for the afflicted, the fallen, the dispossessed, and the children, whose futures are now blurred in uncertainty.
Around here there are two non-profits which work to keep three distinct downtown areas vital and energetic. They strive to keep those areas alive with events for residents and visitors, as well as promoting and working with the small businesses located there. The current situation has definitely slowed things down, but both organizations have done their best to draw folks to those districts.
Our downtown was making an effort to revitalize. The city built a new ballpark for our minor league team. The old one was in a residential neighborhood and named War Memorial Stadium (for World War I – my father-in-law was on a farm team for the New York Giants and played there once in the 1930’s). The new one is downtown.
The city sets up an ice rink in the winter and various groups hold events during the summer.
The problem is that because downtown was making a comeback, land owners were raising their rents and driving some local, established businesses, out of business.
Concretionist about 3 years ago
I agree that it’s a real possibility. Though “energy” is a weird thing when it comes to social dynamics.
wellis1947 Premium Member about 3 years ago
If the synergy (correct wording) has been destroyed for downtowns everywhere, it wasn’t the Trump Virus that killed it, but the irrational response of the republican party to the virus!
superposition about 3 years ago
Survivors adapt to the things they cannot change in a world where change is now increasingly rapid and constant.
dflak about 3 years ago
World War II ended relatively abruptly. There were several months between V-E Day and V-J Day after years of fighting.
So after the Great Depression and after the war, the pent-up desire for consumer goods was finally released and we went on a buying splurge.
With the pandemic, it’s different. It won’t end; it will fade away. Unlike V-E Day or V-J Day, we won’t be able to point to a calendar and say, “It ended here; start celebrating.”
Darsan54 Premium Member about 3 years ago
This is actually a little funny. Someone else must have given him the idea.
sandpiper about 3 years ago
Folks who used to be called walk-in traffic aren’t there anymore. People buy nearer home, pick it up at the curb, or have it delivered. That is, those who can afford it. The numbers who need help have increased tremendously, while the population that used to be able to help has shrunk. A lot of time will pass before the balance is anywhere near its former level.
Prayers for the afflicted, the fallen, the dispossessed, and the children, whose futures are now blurred in uncertainty.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Anti mask Republicans spread covid joyfully, they are still calling covid a hoax.
Masterskrain Premium Member about 3 years ago
Thanks, trump.
ferddo about 3 years ago
The bums panhandling around downtown don’t provide positive energy…
david_42 about 3 years ago
Most downtowns I been in in the last 50 years were dead outside of the workweek.
gammaguy about 3 years ago
I beg your pardon.
l3i7l about 3 years ago
Around here there are two non-profits which work to keep three distinct downtown areas vital and energetic. They strive to keep those areas alive with events for residents and visitors, as well as promoting and working with the small businesses located there. The current situation has definitely slowed things down, but both organizations have done their best to draw folks to those districts.
Radish the wordsmith about 3 years ago
Who wants to go downtown anymore?
dflak about 3 years ago
Our downtown was making an effort to revitalize. The city built a new ballpark for our minor league team. The old one was in a residential neighborhood and named War Memorial Stadium (for World War I – my father-in-law was on a farm team for the New York Giants and played there once in the 1930’s). The new one is downtown.
The city sets up an ice rink in the winter and various groups hold events during the summer.
The problem is that because downtown was making a comeback, land owners were raising their rents and driving some local, established businesses, out of business.