A Downtown Worth Fighting For

By Franzi Charen

“What is happening to our downtown?”

This is the top question I get from many of you. I have penned some thoughts to help put things in perspective.

In 2009 Urban Outfitters arrived in downtown Asheville. With a few chains already in the central business district, concerned parties came together and formed the Asheville Grown Business Alliance. We wanted to create awareness around the importance of supporting and growing a healthy and strong local economy while preserving the uniqueness of our downtown.

Jamee Haley, the Executive Director of Lowcountry Local First in Charleston, SC recently wrote this about their experience with chains moving into their downtown:

“Every time one of these national chains comes to the area they cause the market rate for commercial property to escalate, driving up the cost for local business owners and driving them out of the city.

“We no longer have businesses that serve the needs of the community that live downtown (salons, shoe repair, dry cleansers, corner stores, hardware), and even the legacy businesses are selling because of rising property taxes and deals that are just too good for them to pass up.”

Sound familiar? Six new hotels are coming to downtown Asheville. This, combined with an increase in the hotel tax means Asheville will see a marked surge in tourism promotion, without significant improvements to our infrastructure.

While property and sales tax revenue will increase what will downtown look like in 20 years and who will be shut out? Are we “planting the seeds of our own decline”?

Studies show that by supporting and growing locally owned businesses we create a stronger, more resilient and fair economy. Every dollar spent in a locally owned business returns 3x more to our local economy than one spent at a chain. Out of the 1,448 businesses in the 28801 zip code 88% have less than 20 employees and 55% have 1-4 employees. Yet, there is nothing in place to protect these businesses. Our local businesses define the vitality of downtown and it would be a tragedy to lose them.

It is critical that we find a way to keep downtown special. Our downtown is distinctly different than the mall or outlet shopping centers, and this is a huge draw to both locals and tourists alike.

What Can We Do?

Help us study solutions. There are other communities taking interesting measures to strengthen their local economy. These are just a few ideas and examples:

• San Francisco put a cap on the size of stores allowed in a neighborhood district.
• In Utah, the state, in partnership with city and county governments, Local First Utah, and a local bank, created incentives for property owners to sell to local businesses over outside entities.
• In 2004 Portland Oregon unanimously passed a Local Business Initiative Resolution.
• Richmond, VA created an Office of Community Wealth Building specifically to study and implement these types of ideas.
• Make your voice heard! If you’re concerned please visit ashevillegrown.com. We want your thoughts and ideas.

Franzi Charen is the Director of the Asheville Grown Business Alliance