Public Buildings Keep Town Centers Alive

by Philip Langdon

Post offices, municipal halls, libraries, courthouses, and other public buildings can play a critical role in keeping downtowns and town centers strong. Conversely, the loss of key public buildings can seriously damage the fabric of downtown. A report on successes in Saratoga Springs New York from planning journalist Philip Langdon.

This article is reprinted with permission from the Winter 2003 issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal, the nation’s leading publication for citizens interested in planning and land use issues. For more information about the Journal, either call: 802-864-9083; fax: 802-862-1882; e-mail: info@plannersweb.com; or visit their Web site at: www.plannersweb.com. The Journal is based in Burlington, Vermont.

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