Renewing Spokane: A study of motivating forces behind downtown revitalization projects

This study examines the motivating forces behind downtown urban renewal projects through qualitative interview research. Using Spokane, Washington, as a case study, interviews were conducted with key players in downtown revitalization, including public administrators, private developers, and non-profit representatives. While neoliberal theory indicates that economic return serves as the primary motivation for investment, interview questions were designed to uncover whether additional motivating factors stimulate renewal work. Results indicate that those conducting renewal projects are primarily motivated by economics, but additionally cite heritage preservation values and community development as significant factors. Moreover, contemporary renewal projects are found to be small-scale endeavors, undertaken by individual private investors as government involvement has significantly diminished. Revitalizers tended to express frustration with a lack of investor and public awareness regarding renewal opportunities, suggesting that increased information dissemination might promote further renewal work within mid-sized urban downtowns. Issues with neoliberal policies in addressing contemporary urban issues are also discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Resource Management

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mowery, Kara K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mathew Novak
• Elvin Delgado
• Patrick T. McCutcheon

• revitalization
• preservation
• renewal
• downtown
• Spokane
• urban
• Geography
• Historic Preservation and Conservation
• History
• Other Geography
• United States History
• Urban, Community and Regional Planning
• Urban Studies
• Urban Studies and Planning

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/164

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.cwu.edu:etd-1174