Re-imagining Danville The former tobacco and textile town helps residents and visitors to capture the spirit of the town and all that it’s becoming. By Arnold Hendrix Take a drive into the heart of Danville, VA and you will come to a point where two historic districts – the Tobacco Warehouse District and downtown – are tied together by the Dan River. While downtown languished, the Tobacco Warehouse District could boast of a modest redevelopment, with a community market, concert pavilion and a state-supported science center. Along the banks of the Dan River, federal money had been used to create a popular walking trail. Six years ago, city leaders bet they could better redevelop downtown if it were marketed as one with the amenities provided by the Tobacco Warehouse District and the Dan River. With this strategy agreed upon, the “River District” was born.
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It has been a winning bet. Today, private investment is taking place as hoped, and it is outpacing public investment by threefold. Nearly 40 different businesses are flourishing in the River District, and more are coming. There are multiple restaurant choices. Entertainment, health and fitness, and educational opportunities are available. To capture the spirit of the changes taking place in Danville, city leaders undertook an effort to officially brand the River District. On May 1, Danville will mark the one-year anniversary of the unveiling of a new branding platform for the River District. The brand identity “Reimagine That” captures the spirit of Danville and sends a clear message within and outside the Danville community about what makes the district special. “Our message is clear, ‘here in the River District, the status quo is a no go,’” says Corrie Teague, assistant director of
SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
