06-29-2020, 06:15 PM
(06-29-2020, 04:26 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: I think the biggest failing in DTK is advertising, aside from the apollo, which I frequent quite a bit, I wouldn't know about these things if I didn't walk past them...which is why foot traffic is so important.
I don't think I can agree with this. Places like the Conrad Center really only attract people who are already going to actively seek out that kind of entertainment. I absolutely love the Apollo, but if I was a suburban living car driver, I can get close enough of an experience at any other theater without the negative experiences of DTK. Same thing for many of the more generic restaurants and bars that dot the downtown. I think most of my friends (all suburban living) are aware of what's available downtown, especially since I've mentioned much of what's available, and they continue to choose to not come here.
I think repeat-customer kind of retail and unique experience based businesses are what will get a consistent flow of people visiting downtown, but there is a bit of a chicken and egg problem there.