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small- and medium-sized cities in America
RELEASED: September 26, 2001
Henry Cisneros says Centre's presence a big plus for Danville
DANVILLE, KY— Hundreds participated in "The Morphing of Main Street USA: The Future of America's Heartland Cities" at Centre College Sept. 24-26.
City officials and experts in the fields of economic development and community planning met to explore the future of small- and medium-sized cities.
The summit looked at both problems and possible solutions that are to be faced by small-town America, and some of the solutions that have been implemented.
On Tuesday afternoon a panel met at Centre College's Norton Center for the Arts to discuss several topics pertaining to small-town America. Presentations were made on what some small towns across the United States have done to revitalize their communities.
Henry Cisneros, former HUD secretary under President Clinton and a four-term mayor of San Antonio, was the keynote speaker Tuesday evening. He had a visual presentation showing the changing look of downtown areas and affordable housing across the United States. A positive measure, he said, being taken is refraining from building high-rise public homes and moving toward more traditional homes. Cisneros said this measure has helped keep neighborhoods safe, brought in more attractive homes, and has helped bring businesses closer to these areas.
Cisneros said Centre College helps make Danville a progressive area.
"Centre is what we call in urban planning an 'anchoring institution' '' he said. "It's an institution that provides a community with a constant flow of ideas from progressive-thinking people and a constant reservoir of resources that are available to the community, including professors, students and facilities like the library and this beautiful arts center."
Centre's appearance in hosting the 2000 vice-presidential debate helped the school secure the summit. Centre President John Roush said Centre is always eager to host issue-related events.
The conference concluded Wednesday.
The conference was sponsored by NewCities Foundation, the Kentucky League of Cities, Centre College, and Kentucky Educational Television.
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Centre College
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