What is the most integral ingredient for a healthy downtown to possess? Professionals working in the field know that the complex array of economic, political, location and cultural forces at play in any downtown, together with the fact that no two downtowns are alike, renders these questions impossible to answer in a simplistic, straightforward manner. Nevertheless, one basic principle is widely agreed upon by most downtown development professionals: Strong sustainable partnerships among the downtown association, local government and other key organizations in the city and region provide the essential foundation upon which effective revitalization activities can flourish.

Establishing and maintaining enduring relationships with other organizations - both private and public - is important for several fundamental reasons.

First, partnerships help to broaden the base of support for the downtown. Sometimes a downtown organization's agenda can appear as narrow and self-serving. Broadening the support base can help reduce this perception and strengthen the changes of securing grants, favorable politibal decisions and general support in the community for downtown projects.

Second, partnerships can create more stakeholders in the community who care about what happens in the downtown. The more people with a stake in downtown, the stronger the downtown.

Third, the amount of resources, both human and financial, that become available for downtown activities can witness substantial increases. Fourth, it promotes efficiency by avoiding duplication of efforts by different organizations.

Finally, partnerships yield a greater number of people - both professionals and volunteers - to work on downtown events and projects; given how understaffed many downtown organizations are, this becomes especially significant.

Principles for Effective Downtown Partnering

Establish strong interconnections with City Hall. Having the city government committed to a healthy downtown is an invaluable asset for a downtown organization, as well as the overall community, to possess. The establishment of a reliable funding source is one obvious benefit.

It is essential to build and continuously nurture strong lines of communication with the multitude of players who comprise city government - city administrator, mayor, members of city council and key city department heads. Having the city on board helps tremendously in convincing others in the community of the value and merit of specific downtown projects.

Broaden the support base for downtown.
One method for accomplishing this goal is to establish effective alliances with other community organizations that share some of the goals with the downtown revitalization organization. So working collectively on appropriate projects produces benefits for each organization. Not to mention the community as a whole.

Formalize working relationships.
Informal coalitions are extremely valuable to a downtown organization, but these associations with other organizations are given more permanence and standing if they are formally authorized as part of the organizational structure. This also ensures the continuance of the partnership arrangement when leadership changes occur within any of the organizations involved.

Physical proximity can enhance partnerships.
While not essential or always practical, experience has shown that organizations that have their offices near other organizations enable more visibility and communication. Organizational neighbors can more easily see and get to know each other, thereby facilitating more frequent professional encounters.

Partner with key downtown institutions.
Many institutions call downtown home, such as post offices, libraries, museums and other tourist attractions, hospitals, schools, churches and universities. These institutions constitute key destinations that are anchors for the downtown. Moreover, they are very important to the community, widely valued and often have influential members of the community on their boards of directors. These institutions are directly affected on a daily basis by the downtown' health and prosperity.

To conclude, the downtown is important to the entire community for reasons related to tax base, community heritage, tourism, past public and private investments, community identity, a central gathering place and a strong sense of place/community. Therefore, the job of planning, developing and promoting the downtown should involve a wide array of organizations, institutions and individuals that extend far beyond the downtown revitalization organization. Partnerships which can be sustained over time are the key for ensuring that this happens.

For more information, contact:

Kent Robertson, Professor & Director
Community Development Program
Department of Community Studies
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud MN 56301-4498
phone: 320-255-3184
fax: 320-654-5413
e-mail: kent@stcloudstate.edu

Robert Kent Robertson is a professor of community development at St. Cloud State University (Minnesota). He has published over 25 articles on downtown development and has led workshops on this topic across the United States.

Center for Community Economic Development
University of Wisconsin - Extension

NYMSA
New York Main Street Alliance

National Main Street Center