Those efforts failed. They invited guest speakers from other neighborhood business districts, including Fremont and Ballard, to share their stories of decline and renewal. They met with economists and other experts and spent countless hours talking about how to attract new businesses to Columbia City as well as how to strengthen existing ones. Through trial and error, and common sense, a renewal strategy for Columbia City emerged. Use what you've got.
People live in the neighborhood because they like it there.
On reflection, it's clear that good things about the neighborhood far outweigh the problems. The most important assets are neighborhood people. They have all the skills, knowledge and expertise needed. Start with small, doable projects and build on a momentum of success before tackling more difficult issues. Most important, do something visible.