Downtown Malls as Engines of Economic Development, Community Spirit, and Political Capital

This article reframes the inquiry into downtown economic redevelopment by raising the question of whether downtown malls affect how citizens feel about their community. Unlike other studies that focus almost exclusively on objective economic indicators, the authors employ perceptual data to measure how a new mall in downtown Providence, Rhode Island affected residents' shopping behavior, views on community spirit, and evaluation of the mayor. Drawing on data from a public opinion poll of Providence residents, they conclude that Providence's downtown mall has had positive economic spillover and has heightened civic pride, but it has had no significant effect on residents' views of the mayor's job performance. These and other of their results demonstrate that city boosters who justify such projects based on economic revitalization and improved community spirit are likely to have arguments that resonate with residents.