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Directing Density To Our Downtowns Creates Desirable, Vibrant Communities And Relieves Pressure On Suburban Neighborhoods And Open Spaces
By Heidi Vandiver
In communities across the country, downtown development has become a focal point of conversation. We want growth and economic opportunities, but we also want to preserve our quality of life and the security of what feels familiar. Change can be unsettling, especially when it raises concerns about traffic, density, and the character of surrounding neighborhoods. So how do we plan for smart, intentional downtown development that doesn’t threaten what we already love about our community?
A vibrant downtown acts as the heartbeat of our communities. It’s where we gather, connect, and experience the unique characteristics of the region, especially here in the beautiful Lower Hudson Valley. When we invest in our downtowns, by encouraging new housing, walkable streets, and a mix of shops, restaurants, and public spaces, we create more than a business district, we create a destination. Adding housing downtown is a key part of this equation. It brings life to the area beyond the necessities, it supports local retail, entertainment, and community. Meeting the growing need for diverse housing options helps the whole community.
As the cost of living rises and demographics shift, many residents, from young professionals to empty nesters, are looking for alternatives to traditional suburban homes. Walkable downtown living with easy access to amenities, appeals to people seeking connection, convenience, and community. By building housing downtown, we reduce development pressure on the outer edges of town. This helps preserve the integrity of our suburban neighborhoods and open spaces.
It’s natural for residents to worry that more downtown housing and development will lead to more traffic and a strain on resources. And those are absolutely concerns that can and should be addressed. Thoughtful planning can prevent these issues. In fact, compact development can reduce overall traffic by making it easier for people to walk or bike. When people live closer to shops, restaurants, and services they drive less. Additionally, thorough traffic and parking studies help ensure we build without overburdening nearby streets and neighborhoods.
Another common concern is the fear of overdevelopment. We don’t want to lose the ‘smalltown’ charm that makes our community feel special. Downtown revitalization doesn’t mean overbuilding or sacrificing character. It means encouraging design that fits the scale and feel of the area, with input from residents and stakeholders. Through thoughtful planning and public engagement, we can shape a downtown that reflects our needs and vision.
Communities thrive when they evolve to meet the needs of their residents. Change is not the enemy, it’s the path to vitality. By investing in our downtowns, we are investing in a shared future that supports local business, attracts visitors, offers affordable and diverse housing, and creates spaces where people want to spend time.
When we say no to development, we say yes to stagnation. When we fail to plan for growth, we risk losing our younger generations to other neighboring areas that offer more opportunity and vibrancy. We risk seeing our local businesses struggle due to a lack of foot traffic. We risk letting our downtowns become ghost towns.
Downtown development isn’t about building for outsiders. It’s about building for all of us who are already living in our community. It’s about creating a place where our kids want to return to with their families, where our seniors can enjoy walkable amenities, and where we all feel a sense of pride and belonging. Rockland has the beauty of the Hudson Valley and the unique position of being 45 minutes from both Times Square and the gorgeous black dirt farms of Orange County. There is room for everyone in Rockland and we have so much to offer!
Let’s work together to make our downtown areas the vibrant, welcoming hubs we all want while preserving the peaceful neighborhoods that surround them. With smart planning, open dialogue, and a shared vision, we can have both.
On May 14, Rockland’s Office of Economic Development, with the support of the Rockland IDA and the Rockland Business Association, will be conducting an Economic Development Forum to establish a platform for your voice to be heard and foster discussion. Details to follow.
The Rockland IDA was established by New York State statute to promote the attraction, retention, and expansion of commercial and industrial business within the County. It does so by providing various financial incentives in return for performance obligations of the projects it approves. Since 2015 alone, the Agency has authorized projects that have resulted in billions of dollars of new investment in the County while creating and/or retaining thousands of jobs.
Heidi Vandiver is the Operations Manager of the Rockland Industrial Development Agency
