Vermont is fortunate to have grown so slowly that we have downtowns that can be reinvigorated. Many people come to Vermont simply to spend time in small downtowns that are no longer located near their homes. This does not mean, however, that we must or should force fit all commercial and industrial activity into downtowns. In particular, many manufacturing facilities and highway commercial uses detract from downtowns rather than making them stronger. This occurs mainly because downtowns thrive on pedestrian activity.
Pedestrian activity results from designing downtowns to maintain pedestrian interest.
Shops with large windows displaying merchandise along one side of the sidewalk create and hold pedestrian interest. Amenities such as trees or greens assist this process by providing locations whether pedestrians can gather. In contrast, buildings such as factories with long, uninteresting walls can destroy pedestrian interest. Highway commercial uses such as parking lots, gas stations and car, heavy equipment, and boat dealerships and parts and repair centers can have the same negative effect when located in town centers. These uses can become a barrier that pedestrians will resist crossing.