Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/674818
6 MAY 4-10, 2016 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM We have become so accustomed to the 20th century mantra that children need to grow up in suburbia that many would never consider raising a child downtown. Now we know inherent flaws in suburban planning – distances, dangerous streets, monotonous single function zoning, etc – make suburbia unhealthy for children. It is time to reconsider raising children downtown. Many downtowns such as ours are also currently have obstacles that parents must consider: they often have traffic problems, lack of schools and many homeless. In 20th century efforts to create single-function business, commercial and entertainment districts, they have lost much of their original mixed-use residential character. In many cities, downtown residents today consist primarily of young military, empty nesters or higher income level tenants. But changes are taking place. There is a new influx of well-to-do young professionals and young families who see the advantages of being close to cultural resources. To make downtown healthy for children, further changes need to be made, but it may be no more difficult to retrofit downtowns to make them child-friendly than to retrofit suburbs for the same purpose. In those cities that still retain some mixed-use urban fabric, historic buildings and human scale, the benefits of raising children in the city may be great for all. Some years ago there wasn't a desire to live in downtown areas and not many were interested in living in downtown Fayetteville. Now it is becoming evident that as these young professionals marry and begin families they find themselves unwilling to abandon the quality of life downtown for the suburban dream. Downtown is also beginning to draw other young families from the suburbs eager for a more sustainable life style and a stronger sense of community. The 'American Dream' may have dominated the last few decades, causing a mass exodus to the suburbs, but today's families are reversing the trend and turning their attention back to the city. The reasons are many: An appreciation for cultural offerings, the camaraderie and creative cross-pollination of networks of colleagues, friends and family, the convenience of being able to walk or bike to school, work or child care without a long commute—just to name a few. WHAT'S GOING ON DOWNTOWN Stay connected to your Downtown... Follow us on social to keep up-to-date with the latest activities, events and happenings. MAY 8 Blues on the Square Fundraiser Women's Club - Heritage Square 3pm - 7pm MAY 14 City Market at the Museum Transportation & History Museum 9am - 1pm MAY 18 City Market at the Museum Transportation & History Museum 1pm - 5pm ART Attack The Rock Shop 6pm MAY 21 City Market at the Museum Transportation & History Museum 8am - 1pm Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony ASOM 10am 2nd Annual Car/Bike Show & Antique Street Fair Maxwell Street - Historic Downtown 10am - 2pm Super Science Saturday Fascinate-U 11-1pm EVERY TUESDAY & SATURDAY Railroading in Fayetteville Exhibit; Cumberland County Goes To War Exhibit; Lafayette in Exhibit; Edward Evans Exhibit Fay Area Trans & Local History Museum 10pm - 4pm THROUGH MAY 18 Art Exhibit: Dysfunction of Sameness Gallery 116th THROUGH MAY 21 2nd Annual Arts & Flowers Exhibition The Arts Council of Fayetteville THROUGH MAY 22 Ring of Fire Cape Fear Regional Theatre Living downtown can be great for families Visit the City's New Website at: