These images were taken from the same corner, Washington and Main Streets, in El Dorado. The one on top depicts an attempt at urban renewal in the 1970's that included closing off vehicular access to the courthouse square. It's an important factor for industrial, commercial and professional recruitment. Downtown serves as a good incubator for new small business - the success of tomorrow. Strips and Malls are often too expensive for new entrepreneurs.
Lower rents make downtown a good location.
It helps reduce sprawl by concentrating activity in one area. Downtown is a major employer. Often when you count the number of jobs in a community you will find that downtown is the largest employer. The infrastructure downtown is a major public investment. Only healthy businesses in buildings assessed at full value generate taxes the give taxpayers a return on this public investment.