From Lileks.com, wisdom:

"But it’s a hard patch for Hennepin. I remember worse – far worse. But it reminds me that pulling for downtown – any downtown in a medium-sized city – sometimes feels like a luxury, a hobbyhorse, a game for nostalgia junkies who believe in some alchemic formula that will bring it all back to life. Sure, it was indispensable once; sure, everyone went downtown. Yes, this was the heart of the town, the big parade, the place where you got your first Sunday suit, got your teeth drilled, had an ice cream with mom in the department store, saw a lawyer, got drunk, met a girl, caught a movie in the balcony on a summer afternoon. This was it, brother.

But it isn’t anymore."

Mistah Lileks is referring to his downtown, in beautiful Minneapolis. Another place not unlike Roanoke. It too underwent a time of rebirth not too long ago, which has now slowed a bit. It would be interesting to see how many Roanokes there are out there. Judge which ones have been successful and why.

Providence, RI - Albany, NY - Detroit, MI - Canton, OH.., I'm sure the list is nearly endless. Each of these places has mixed success in the rebuilding of downtown, each has struggled to keep the heritage of its past alive, while attempting modernization and building a legacy for the future.

See Roanoke, your not alone after all. Just need to look around.

Interesting perspective from James Lileks