Deja Vu
Seems like a lot of the same issues when you read the threads about rejuvenating the Weirs. We saw a lot of the same arguments in Manchester. Twenty-five +/- years ago the SNHU arena was built amidst much controversy, and amid much city blight. The Manchester Monarchs were a huge success, filling nearly 10,000 seats when a much much smaller number would have been thought successful. Year round events there of all sorts. All up and down Elm St and surroundings, there are new businesses, many bars and restaurants and the area is thriving. The arena was a catalyst, built in part with some low cost city bonding as I recall. Malls are dying along with Sears and other brick and mortar stores, but downtowns are making a comeback, especially among millennials who want to walk to wherever.
An arena may not be the catalyst, but there may be one. (Who came up with the plan that Freeport, ME should have a downtown of outlet stores?)
The plan suggested by the OP is not a 12 month project. This is a city. Over the next 100 years you can do anything!
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