Time that could be spent bonding with our families, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in civic activities. In Robert Putnam s new book, Bowling Alone, the author states that Every ten minutes of commuting time cuts all form of civic engagement by 10 percent. It seems clear to me that the rebirth of downtown Memphis with its thriving residential base proves that there is a market for urban living. The compact, pedestrian friendly downtown area is attracting a diverse group, including recent college graduates, working singles and couples, retirees, and even traditional families. They are attracted to the historic buildings, the Mississippi River, and such amenities as the trolley.
Preservation offers many tools for revitalization such as tax credits and easements.
These can and have been used effectively by some perceptive developers in our own city and should be acknowledged, promoted, and advanced. Another less obvious economic benefit is the retention and use of all the energy that has already gone into building construction. Historic preservationists often are scorned because we try to protect the old, the historic. But our allegiance is actually to the future, not the past. Not every old building is historic, certainly not every old building is worth saving, and sometimes places are of great historic or cultural significance even if they are not old.