Will Town Centers Save the Suburbs?
July 7, 2008 by jessebkaye
Since the baby boom of the 1950’s America has had a love affair with the suburbs. The dream of owning a 4 bedroom home with the white picket fence is so entrenched in the American lexicon that we refer to it as “The American Dream.”
Rising fuel cost, a housing boom that broke, and people demanding services has caused many young buyers to rethink The American Dream and consider moving into the city to satisfy their housing needs. Many urban planners in the ‘burbs’ recognize this and are prepared to do battle with urban living using the only tool they have… The Town Center.
Town centers offer the walking culture that many young buyers want; shopping, restaurants, entertainment and safety can all be found in the town center of many burbs surrounding DC. It is interesting to see where town centers work and where they don’t.
The Rockville Town Square is an interesting example of where the town center is not moving along as planned. When the center opened condos sprung up and restaurants moved in but people failed to show up. Slowly people are starting to show, but not at the volume that Rockville planned.
When town centers work they offer all the amenities of living in the city, while still living in the burbs. The problem is that town centers rarely offer employment options beyond retail. Many of the young professionals still have to work in the city even if they live in the burbs. Here in is the problem for many of the town centers. Work and play are still separate meaning that commuting cost remains. Hence young buyers apprehension to move out of the city.
There are plenty of examples where town centers work as a tool to anchor home buyers into an area. Do you know of any? What are some of the local town centers that you enjoy and would you consider moving somewhere because of the strong town center?
Will they save the suburbs? No. But that’s because suburbs don’t necessarily need to be “saved” (yet). Now don’t take that as me endorsing the suburbs. For the record, I’d never live there at this stage of my life (pre-kids)… But the suburbs will always dominate as places to start families. Where I think they are still overused is by young professionals and older empty nesters. What appeals does living in Leesburg possibly have for either?
I do think Town Centers are a remarkable improvement over traditional sprawl… but preferably when linked to mass transit of some sort. When they aren’t, then I think they become less appealing and less relevant.
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SG. I agree that the town center is better than the strip mall style urban sprawl. At some time someone thought it was a good idea. The future will tell.
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Reston Town Center is a good one. The town center itself doesn’t have the professional jobs. But the Reston area and nearby Tysons Corner are core job centers for the region.
Basically I don’t think you could just create a town center in Springfield or Kensington and make a major impact. But for the areas (even off metro) that have jobs a Town center is a great idea.
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I agree the Reston Town Center is a nice blend and a good ‘fake downtown’. Having worked in Reston I can attest to its draw and fun. Reston is a perfect place for professionals to walk around and enjoy a downtown far away from the city.
Thanks for the comment.
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Pentagon Row – Pentagon City’s build of a “town center” wonderfully blends city and suburban. Granted there was quite a bit of housing within walking distance to the current mall prior to the ‘row’ – the town center has brought much more shopping, outdoor retails, restaurants, bars, outdoor skating/ice in the winter.
“Pentagon Row is a vibrant shopping and entertainment destination with a unique combination of specialty retailers, exciting restaurants and amenities that include Harris Teeter, Bally Total Fitness, a central plaza with outdoor cafes, and an ice-skating rink (November through March) that provides a neighborhood gathering spot for residents of more than 500 apartment homes. Pentagon Row also offers exciting outdoor events, including a 10-week Summer Concert Series. Come and discover Pentagon Row for yourself.”
http://www.pentagonrow.com/
Pentagon Row went up slowly.. a few stores @ a time. It certainly didn’t begin as the hip active center it is today.
Rockville Town Center doesn’t benefit from a local mall, but they have a metro – better than other town centers such as Fairfax or Reston – and a lot of housing within walking distance. With the right marketing, attractive and relevant stores & entertainment you’d think the Rockville Town Center should be able to pick up.
As a young professional who like to go out, and has a young child – I would pick Pentagon Row (Town Center) over living in the suburbs.
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