There isn’t a specific formula for what separates a successful downtown revitalization from one that fails. “There are national trends towards places that offer experiences and authenticity and a local focus and that are ‘cool,’” said Steve Lindley, executive director of the Capital Markets group for commercial real estate services leader Cushman & Wakefield.

Though he pointed out that the “cool” factor is largely subjective, one thing is clear: While downtowns used to be places where people would need to visit to go shopping, with the rise of e-commerce, this is no longer the case.

“Downtowns are not the way they used to be,” said Roger Brooks, Peoria resident and president of the Destination Development Association. “The future of downtowns is where we go after work and on weekends. Downtowns are transforming into the places we go as residents.”

Downtown Chandler, Scottsdale, and Glendale are all working on transforming their downtowns into places in which creative, educated people would choose to work, live, and play.

The downtowns that will thrive, Brooks said, are the ones that will keep up with those changes.