Most convention/tourist districts are loaded up with ultra white United States of Genericans. It was designed to bring in the suburbadroids and it did just that. Cordish pulled off what they were asked to do and downtown now has an energy it hasn't seen in 50 years.
For diversity/earthy people, Xroads and City Market and SW Blvd of outer downtown are for the rest of us, which gives downtown different mixes of vibes for most anyone. This component was needed for mass appeal and it worked. It's ultimately a very small part of downtown, which fortunately has many other personalities.
But yeah, this is the opposite of organic development. It's what happens when you try to do an entire district at once. Feels fabricated. The new grocery store is an exception as it's pretty unique with quality prepared foods. Most re-emerging downtowns would kill to have such a store.
Last edited by ignatius; Jan 29, 2009 at 3:38 PM.
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