Scenic America

http://www.scenic.org/pdfs/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Beauty%20Benefits.pdf

Visitors and residents alike enjoy shopping at businesses with attractive signage and pleasant landscaping. Design guidelines can inspire and give direction to business owners and homeowners who want to maintain the aesthetic quality of downtowns. The payoff can be substantial: business owners can benefit from increased competitiveness, while the larger community can enjoy a more attractive area in which to live, walk, and shop.

Historic districts are designations conferred by local governments that allow design review for the protection of significant historic resources. Whether in a commercial center, residential neighborhood, or a broader landscape, historic districts recognize the need for a consistent architectural aesthetic to maintain the character of the designated area. The design review required by the local historic district can help to inspire the community and attract visitors back.
Why is it that we do not see the visitors for such events as the BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass return as patrons for our restaurants? This is the type of revitalization that local historic districts have been created to try and encourage.