Revitalizing Suburban Downtown Retail Districts: Strategies and Best Practices

Revitalizing Suburban Downtown Retail Districts: Strategies and Best Practices

Product No.: 13070
Date Published: 11/2013

View/Download PDF

If you would like to request a printed copy (or copies) of this product, please call DVRPC at 215-592-1800 or email the staff contact listed below. If you would like to request this publication or portion of this publication in another language or format, please fill out a request form.

Many land use and zoning policies address retail and commercial development, but often fall short of creating and sustaining a thriving retail district that fits the needs of the surrounding population. Through the Strategies for Older Suburbs work program, staff compiled information about 71 downtown retail districts in an effort to learn what elements were common among successful older suburban retail districts. Short- and long-term strategies were then developed to help local officials maintain and revive these districts and further their economic development goals.

Geographic Area Covered: DVRPC 9-county region

Key Words: retail districts, downtown, older suburbs, management types, main streets, BIDs, merchants associations, Competitive Retail Management, nonretail, civic, culture, vacant, residential, population density, transit access, capture rates, lease rates, sales per square foot, general merchandise, food and beverage, neighborhood goods, Bryn Mawr, Collingswood, Princeton, Haddonfield, West Chester, Downingtown, Doylestown, Media, Bordentown City, Kennett Square, trade area, retail mix, financial incentives, design incentives, retail supply, retail demand, zoning, density, inventory, facade program, retail typology, retail trends.

Staff Contact(s)

Translation Request

DVRPC’s publications or portions of publications can be translated in alternative languages and formats if requested. To request translation, please submit the form below. You can also contact DVRPC’s Office of Communications & Engagement at 215-592-1800 or public_affairs@dvrpc.org.

Title VI Statement

In effect as of January 30, 2025

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related nondiscrimination mandates in all programs and activities. DVRPC is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, all programs and activities on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or income level, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other related nondiscrimination mandates.

DVRPC's website, www.dvrpc.org, may be translated into multiple languages. Publications and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages and formats, if requested. DVRPC’s public meetings are always held in ADA-accessible facilities and in transit-accessible locations whenever possible. DVRPC will work to accommodate all reasonable requests for translation, interpretation, accommodations or other auxiliary services and encourages that requests be made at least seven days prior to a public meeting. Requests can be made by contacting the Commission’s ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins via email at public_affairs@dvrpc.org, calling (215) 592-1800, or while registering for an upcoming meeting.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice by DVRPC under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with DVRPC's ADA and Title VI Compliance Officer Shoshana Akins and/or the appropriate state or federal agency within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of DVRPC is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Shoshana Akins as well. For more information on DVRPC's Title VI program or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, please visit: www.dvrpc.org/GetInvolved/TitleVI, call (215) 592-1800, or email public_affairs@dvrpc.org.

Air Quality Partnership
Annual Report
Connections 2050
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Economic Development District