- Many cities, like New York, have found that cleaning up run-down neighborhoods can improve residents' quality of life, increase the chances that existing business will choose to stay in the area and that new business will choose to move in. One of the duties of a development committee is to encourage the community to clean up sidewalks, remove trash and repair windows and store fronts. Even something as simple as a new coat of paint can have a positive impact.
- Another task for development committees is to create plans for improvement. For example, if an area has a block or blocks of dilapidated or abandoned buildings, the committee might make plans to take over these buildings, either by purchasing them or using the power of eminent domain. It can then hire architects to repurpose this reclaimed area into a new shopping area, civic facilities or a park.
- A development committee as has the task of finding funding for any projects it wants to carry out, such as buying properties or improving public facilities. To do this there are a number of approaches it can take, such as seeking federal or state development grants, asking for corporate donations, asking the city to offer bonds for funding or applying for loans.
- Once the committee has taken the actions necessary to improve the neighborhood, it then needs to find ways to promote this fact to businesses and individuals. Ads taken out in business magazines can help attract the attention of businesses, but it also important to convince the customers to return to downtown areas. Ads in newspapers, on radio and on TV can help, but development committees also often encourage visitors by establishing special events like concerts and street fairs.
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