Can malls and discount centers take the place of traditional commercial districts? The answer is a resounding "no." It may no longer be the sole option in the community, but the downtown commercial district (DCD) is much more than a shopping center. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Main Street Center”, of which the Dedham Square Circle is a member, summarizes why downtown commercial districts, like Dedham Square, are important: - They are prominent employment centers. Even the smallest district employs hundreds of people, and often the district is collectively the community's largest employer.
- The DCD is a reflection of community image, pride, prosperity, and level of investment — critical factors in business retention and recruitment efforts.
- A DCD represents a significant portion of the community's tax base. If the district declines, property values drop, placing more of a tax burden on other parts of town.
- The traditional DCD is an ideal location for independent businesses, which in turn:
- Keep profits in town - 60 cents of every dollar spent in an independently owned business, like the majority of those in the Square, is retained or recirculated in the same community. Just one-third of that, 20 cents of every dollar, remains in a community when it is spent at a chain store.
- Support other local businesses and services
- Support local families with family-owned businesses
- Support local community organizations and groups, like sports teams and schools.
- Help to provide a stable economic foundation, versus a few large businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community
- Downtowns are part of the historic core of the community. Its buildings embody the community's past and its visual identity.
- A DCD helps bring people into the town. When people travel or shop, they want to see unique places — especially ones that offer a unique shopping "experience."
- A healthy DCD core protects property values in a town’s residential neighborhoods.
- A DCD offers convenience. As they are often within walking distance of residential areas, they provide easy accessibility for the community and help to reduce reliance on auto-dependent shopping.
- The district is usually a government center where town hall, municipal buildings, the courthouse, and/or post office are located. It often is an important service center as well for finding attorneys, physicians, insurance offices, and financial institutions.
- They provide an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Parades, special events, and celebrations held there reinforce intangible sense of community.
- The DCD represents a huge public and private investment. Imagine how much it would cost to re-create all of the buildings and public infrastructure in your downtown.
 
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