Abstract:
The authors tackle the problem of businesses moving from city centers to larger strip-mall type shopping areas outside of downtowns, termed urban blight. Coupling retailers, restaurants, and services with green spaces and more attractive facades is one way to revive small town main streets. To exemplify this model, the authors highlight several cities and towns across the state which are successfully retaining and cultivating downtown spaces including: Tarboro, Edenton, and Washington.