No matter the amount of capital, no matter the scale of the project, I am always amazed at the commitment of the investor - public or private, large or small – who puts money into a building others deem too expensive to take on. It is not the average person that commits to investing in a downtown, especially a downtown that is dilapidated and deteriorating. These are the downtowns that need them the most. It takes individuals with vision, with sound heart and mind, and a committed desire for excellence who puts any time and effort into the improvement of a downtown building. Individuals from the private sector, individuals from the public sector – and not just individuals, but leaders. Leaders who can step up to the plate and say that it is time to make a difference. Time to save their dying downtown. Time to do what they can to save what little reminders of our history we have in this country. Simply stated, this commitment takes place because "we can, and we should."
Unfortunat
ely for me, I can take no credit for that statement. At a recent public launching of the "Rediscover Greeneville" downtown redevelopment initiative in Greeneville, a quaint, beautiful historic town in northeast Tennessee, a prominent local businessman and philanthropist Scott Niswonger shared this philosophy after being asked repeatedly why he wanted to renovate several aging downtown buildings. His reply? "It's because we can, and we should." According to the Greeneville Sun, he went on to say "It's unfortunate that most people who have attained some degree of success and wealth wait until fairly late in their lives or their careers to do any significant giving. Some choose to wait until their death. I'm convinced that it's much more fun to see the result of giving before death." Niswonger concluded those remarks with "We give to benefit those who will follow."
Imagine if more people, no matter the scale of their success and wealth, no matter the scale of the project they choose, carried this philosophy and really got it. Really got what it means to invest in a downtown. Imagine if more people carried their passion to build their community into their business philosophy like Lucas Piatt, vice president for Millcraft Industries Inc, a group on the verge of remaking downtown Pittsburgh. Yet again, simply stated, he said "We care about Pittsburgh. We could have gone to growth areas…but decided Pittsburgh is where we wanted to be" and then committed to putting their investment downtown.
It is time for more businesses to step up in those communities in need of revitalization. It is time for more local governments to step up in those communities in need of revitalization. They should do so because "we can, and we should."
Unfortunat
ely for me, I can take no credit for that statement. At a recent public launching of the "Rediscover Greeneville" downtown redevelopment initiative in Greeneville, a quaint, beautiful historic town in northeast Tennessee, a prominent local businessman and philanthropist Scott Niswonger shared this philosophy after being asked repeatedly why he wanted to renovate several aging downtown buildings. His reply? "It's because we can, and we should." According to the Greeneville Sun, he went on to say "It's unfortunate that most people who have attained some degree of success and wealth wait until fairly late in their lives or their careers to do any significant giving. Some choose to wait until their death. I'm convinced that it's much more fun to see the result of giving before death." Niswonger concluded those remarks with "We give to benefit those who will follow."Imagine if more people, no matter the scale of their success and wealth, no matter the scale of the project they choose, carried this philosophy and really got it. Really got what it means to invest in a downtown. Imagine if more people carried their passion to build their community into their business philosophy like Lucas Piatt, vice president for Millcraft Industries Inc, a group on the verge of remaking downtown Pittsburgh. Yet again, simply stated, he said "We care about Pittsburgh. We could have gone to growth areas…but decided Pittsburgh is where we wanted to be" and then committed to putting their investment downtown.
It is time for more businesses to step up in those communities in need of revitalization. It is time for more local governments to step up in those communities in need of revitalization. They should do so because "we can, and we should."
