Growing up on the east side of town back in the 60s and 70s certainly didn’t plant a seed of urban living in my soul. I lived at the end of long stretch of road in a subdivision where every house looked alike. I never really thought much about it, it was home. Recently, I drove past my old neighborhood and I noticed that it hasn’t changed much over the past four decades; but it sure showed me how I have.

One of my biggest surprises upon returning to Frankfort two years ago is how interesting and appealing our downtown has become. I’ve also been shocked at the number of people who call downtown Frankfort home. I’m not just talking about South Frankfort or the surrounding historical neighborhoods, but about those folks who dwell in the upper story residences in the heart of downtown. Amazingly, there are currently over 200 rental units in downtown, though I am told that they are rarely vacant for long because there is always someone on the waiting list ready to move in.

Living in other cities has certainly expanded my view of possibilities and opened my imagination about what can be. But I realize that there were people in Frankfort back in the 70s and 80s who had that vision and began acting on that inspiration. We can thank people like Bill Crumbaugh and John Gray and others for creating many of these wonderful living spaces downtown that are so popular today. And, there are new visionaries that are emerging who are planning projects that will greatly expand the options for the downtown residential population .

I’d never really thought about the positive impact of residents on the vitality of a downtown. But recently one respected developer shared that there are three things that a healthy downtown needs: residents, residents and residents. He noted that when people can walk to work and home and then find options for eating and recreation nearby, it strengthens the area. It makes sense. People are drawn to areas where there’s an energy and an aliveness, they want to be a part of it. And, rest assured, tourists want to go where locals hang out; I learned that lesson in Key West when visitors would always ask, “where do YOU like to go?”

I also just read about the 10/10/10 Rule of healthy downtowns. It is also known as the “Rule of Critical Mass” according to Roger Brooks, founder of Destination Development. He says that in less than a 3 block area there needs to be three things for a downtown to really be considered a destination: 10 places that serve food,10 specialty shops (not chains or big box stores) and 10 places that stay open after 6 p.m., preferably for entertainment .

Well, believe it or not, downtown Frankfort is almost there! When is the last time you dined downtown at any one of our 13 restaurants and cafes? How about shopping? Do you realize that there are 14 retail shops to choose from? And, have you listened to any live music lately, either on the Old Capitol Lawn, or at one of the 5 pubs and bars in the area? These options are currently available, and there’s more to come.

Don’t believe me? Then come check it out for yourself. And while you are downtown, look up a story or two and notice the curtains and flowers in the windows. You’ve probably walked past these places a zillion times and never realized that life that goes on behind the facades of these beautiful old buildings. Interested in seeing what they are like? Then join us for our “Downtown Living Tour” on August 1 at 5 p.m. before the Summer Concert Series begins at 7 p.m.

We’ll meet at the DFI tent on the lawn of the Old Capitol, and then take you on a guided tour of several great apartments and a few buildings that are in the works. What better way to spend a summer evening? Call DFI at 502.223.2261 for more information.

Kelly Everman, Director of Downtown Frankfort, Inc.