Keokuk, IA – A national expert on Main Street districts says Keokuk must capitalize on its positives to keep its district competitive.
Kennedy Smith says communities must be creative when they attempt to revitalize downtown districts. The former director of the National Main Street Program was invited to Keokuk to discuss ways to improve the district and to conduct an overall assessment. Smith says Keokuk's downtown district has many positives. Smith says the challenges facing downtown Keokuk include lost jobs, fewer consumers, and large retail development. She says downtowns, in general, must also adapt to an abundance of commercial space, a shift to online shopping, and a deterioration of downtown properties. Smith will share her overall assessment with community leaders and discuss ways to capitalize on the unique businesses and appearance of Keokuk's downtown.
National Main Street Expert Studies Keokuk
