"There is a lot of lip service paid to community involvement in economic development and downtown revitalization. Too often that’s all it is. I learned the hard way that it’s worth it to reach out and engage neighborhoods and listen to local residents—to actively solicit input—even from the “chronic naysayers.” I believe in multi-day charettes, meaningful two-way public information programs and honoring the hometown wisdom that believe me, is often far more insightful than the “hot shot” consultant who brings his/her canned approach to town. Economic development and downtown revitalization must be a shared community experience, not a top-down mandate. If a consultant doesn’t spend time listening to the community—fire that consultant—it’s that simple.”

-Chuck D’Aprix