Upzoned
Coming Back Down to Earth After a “Next-Level” Downtown Revitalization
Feb 7, 2024
The podcast explores the disappointing reality of a downtown revitalization project in Morris town, Tennessee involving an elevated sidewalk. It delves into the concept of aerial urbanism, discussing examples such as skywalks and gondolas. The hosts wrap up the show with predictions for the Super Bowl, including a playful conversation about Taylor Swift's influence on football games.
43:59
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Large-scale revitalization projects should prioritize demand for retail space and create a vibrant ground-level first floor before adding additional layers or infrastructure.
- Successful downtown revitalization requires a solid foundation of local demand, incremental bottom-up development, and a diverse mix of businesses.
Deep dives
Morristown, Tennessee's failed downtown renewal
The podcast discusses the failed downtown renewal project in Morristown, Tennessee. In the 1960s, the town constructed a skymart, an elevated sidewalk system along its main street, with the hope of revitalizing the downtown area. The skymart initially attracted attention and sparked economic activity, but it ultimately did not save the downtown as expected. Today, the skymart is mostly desolate, with many vacant spaces, and the town's mayor acknowledges that it didn't pan out due to a lack of interest from pedestrians and merchants. The story highlights the challenges of attempting large-scale revitalization projects without a solid foundation of local demand and sustainability.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
