AllNewsResourcesVideoResourceIntroducing "(Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization"Home>Knowledge Hub>Resources>Introducing "(Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization"Introducing "(Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization" Downtowns, Main Streets, and city centers across the country are witnessing a renaissance. As more Americans chose the convenience and connectivity of walkable neighborhoods, communities are seeing new businesses, restaurants, and shops open in areas that were formerly vacant or economically distressed. This movement is an exciting opportunity for communities. But for many places, the work needed to create a vibrant downtown can seem daunting. A new guidebook is designed to help. (Re)Building Downtown: A Guidebook for Revitalization, released today, is a new guide for local elected officials who want to re-invigorate and strengthen neighborhood centers of economy, culture, and history through a smart growth approach to development. The guide lays out in straightforward language seven main steps to take, and it’s designed to be used by any community, no matter where you are in the revitalization process. We'll be talking all about this guide during a kickoff panel discussion today at 1:00 pm EST. . Joining the conversation will be Alex Morrison, Executive Director at Macon-Bibb County, GA Urban Development Authority; Mayor John Engen of Missoula, MT; and Will Schroeer, Executive Director, East Metro Strong of Saint Paul, MN. We welcome your questions and ideas for our panelists or about the new guidebook. Join the conversation on Twitter at the hashtag . Today’s new guide is a fantastic resource for any community interested in a stronger, more vibrant downtown. Check out the new guidebook to learn more.Related ResourcesIntroducing "Building Resilient States"Join us for the launch of (Re)Building Downtown(Re)Building DowntownIntroducing Smart Growth America's State Resilience ProgramRestructuring the Commercial Strip: A Practical Guide for Planning the Revitalization of Deteriorating Strip CorridorsChanging Complete Streets Policy: A Brief GuidebookIntroducing "Building Resilient States"Join us for the launch of (Re)Building Downtown(Re)Building DowntownIntroducing Smart Growth America's State Resilience ProgramRestructuring the Commercial Strip: A Practical Guide for Planning the Revitalization of Deteriorating Strip CorridorsChanging Complete Streets Policy: A Brief GuidebookIntroducing "Building Resilient States"Join us for the launch of (Re)Building Downtown(Re)Building DowntownIntroducing Smart Growth America's State Resilience ProgramRestructuring the Commercial Strip: A Practical Guide for Planning the Revitalization of Deteriorating Strip CorridorsBrowse All Resources1350 I St NW Suite 425 Washington, DC 20005Contact UsDonateSubscribe to our newsletterSubscribeLivable places. Healthy people. Shared prosperity.© 2025 Smart Growth America. All rights reservedMission | Careers | Staff | Privacy policySite By3Lane Marketing, Downtowns, Main Streets, and city centers across the country are witnessing a renaissance. As more Americans chose the convenience and connectivity of walkable neighborhoods, communities are seeing new businesses, restaurants, and shops open in areas that were formerly vacant or economically distressed., Since the Winn-Dixie supermarket vacated the Midtown Plaza commercial center in 2018, property owner Midtown Associates has sought to rezone and repurpose 3.5 acres of the 7.5-acre site on 1299 S .