Effects of Downtown Improvement Projects on Retail Activity

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Abstract
The main objective of pedestrian and transit malls and other improvement projects is often to help revitalize downtown business districts. This paper examines how downtown improvement efforts have affected the entry, growth, and exit of retail and service establishments in those areas. The authors briefly review the widely divergent findings of previous research on the effects of street mall projects on retail sales, then develop an analysis approach using Dun and Bradstreet records on individual establishments. Eight downtown revitalization projects are examined for changes in the profiles and growth rates of establishments at the project locations and in other parts of the cities. The results indicate that changes can range from positive improvements to mere continuation of past negative trends. Differences in project effects are related to differences both in the local economy and in project design and management.

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