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IV. Creating a Destination <br /> Downtown Pequot is already a local destination for residents to meet their everyday <br /> needs and for tourists already in the area looking for a different shopping experience. <br /> Enhancing the experiences of existing Downtown patrons and expanding Downtown's <br /> customer and visitor draw are a function of two overall factors: z_) a thriving economic <br /> community with the businesses to attract patrons, and 2) attractive and useful public <br /> spaces in Downtown. <br /> Downtown Pequot,like any other downtown area,is composed of two general areas: the <br /> private, interior spaces of the buildings and the outside, outdoor, public spaces. The <br /> private, interior spaces are controlled by the individual landowner and directly support <br /> the economics of each of the businesses.Outside of these buildings lies the public realm, <br /> the resident's and visitor's introduction to the businesses in Downtown. For the <br /> businesses and overall economics of Downtown to be successful, the public realm must <br /> also be successful. <br /> The public realm includes aesthetic features like building design,functional features like <br /> parking and sidewalks�nd events and activities like Pequot's Bean Hole Days.There are Deleted:, <br /> four key components in making a place_successful and in-continuing to attract_visitors: - Deleted:to <br /> Formatted:Font:Italic <br /> ■ Uses and Activities —A successful place is one that people use for a variety of Formatted:Font:Italic <br /> activities from sitting and chatting on some benches,to playing on a swingset,to <br /> grabbing a bite to eat, to participating in a community event. A good place Formatted:Font:Italic <br /> provides a wide range of features that attract many different people. <br /> ■ Comfort and Image — A successful place should be inviting_and should be Formatted:Font:Italic <br /> comfortable for visitors to travel through and within. Thoughtful design can <br /> improve the overall aesthetic appeal of an area and aid in attracting new visitors. <br /> ■ Access and Linkages — A successful place is_easy_to_reach. A common Formatted:Font:Italic <br /> complaint about typical suburban development patterns is that commercial <br /> businesses are very visible from main transportation routes,but reaching them <br /> involves,Iavigating of a maze of frontage and access roads.People should be able - Deleted:mastering the navigation <br /> to see the destination, see that other people are enjoying that destination,and be .- - Deleted: <br /> able to easily access that destination in a safe and easy manner. <br /> ■ Sociability — A good place is where people want to go to observe the passing <br /> scene,to meet friends,to celebrate an event,and to interact with a wide range of <br /> people. <br /> Uses and Activities <br /> Visitors to Downtown Pequot have the ability to participate in an assortment of <br /> activities such as eating at one of the local restaurants,picnicking in the Trailside Park, <br /> shopping at one of the boutiques, or enjoying the Artisans Fair or Bean Hole Days. <br /> Visitors can find more information about Pequot and the area at the Chamber of <br /> Commerce building in Trailside Park and wedding parties I can have their_photographs Deleted:, <br /> taken at the gazebo in the park. <br /> Pequot Lakes Downtown Plan—Updated December 2007 10 <br />