Successful Downtown Areas

     Attracting people to a certain area seems to be a hard thing to master. You have to think about who you want to attract, how many people you want to attract, and what you’re going to offer those people who are attracted.
    Small towns tend to have a harder time attracting a good amount of people therefore resulting in a struggling economy. Looking at the most successful downtown areas in the U.S. we first look at New York City, New York then Washington DC. Both of these cities have a massive population and people with money to keep it thriving. Having such a limited population, small towns are forced to not run as successfully, and only maintain a select few businesses.
    I think that if we create a more diverse strip of businesses, Radford would quickly rise back up. I think most of the stores we have now focus on such a specific target market that not everyone can purchase exactly what they want or even purchase anything at all. Creating more shops, more job opportunities, and a better economy in general for the people of Radford will boost what we already have going. Radford needs to be kept alive and we can start by giving the people, who have worked very hard to live in the city of Radford, a job. More opportunities means a healthier economy.

Check out the links below for cool sites about the top 10 downtown areas in the US!

 New York City, New York

 Washington DC

Top 10 "Downtown's"
New York City: Top Downtown Area

Radford's Target Market

    Not only in downtown Radford is there a university, but also a high school.  With so many students in the area, the recreational park, Bisset Park, is always used. Sports such as soccer and baseball always have events happening with all the locals there to watch. The park also happens to be right on the river. The New River is a great place to go kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and wading which seems to be very popular in Radford.
    The park is mostly designed for children from the age of five and older. With all the sport fields to play on, it provides an environment for younger adults to play on. Some of the college students also practice sports down at the park. There also is a small playground for kids at a very young age to play at. With such a wide range of practice fields for different sports and a playground for younger children, a broader range of people can now play or practice down at Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia.
    On the shopping strip in Downtown Radford there are stores mostly targeted to adults of all ages. They have sophisticated stores providing wardrobes for the professional world and sports bars for people twenty one or older to be entertained. Further down the strip is the Radford Theater that provides a place for all ages to gather. They play all types of movies targeting to no specific crowd. Everyone is welcome and no one is left out.
    So with places like the Bisset Park on the New River where a family can have fun, to the the theater where more families can have fun, to the sports bar and retail store with the targeted market of adults, everyone can enjoy the beauty of Downtown Radford. There is always something for someone to participate in. Whether it’s simply seeing a movie, buying new clothes, or playing a few sport games, everyone has something to be entertained by.

    Don't forget to check the links out below for activities to participate in!

 Canoeing on the New River

Fishing on the New River

The New River
Fishing
Sports