The Life and Death of American Cities, The Rise of the Creative Class, Comeback Cities... the list is huge and it suggests that the completion of projects such as the one that the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (www.padowntown.org) recognized highlights a greater focus on civic culture (Scranton, The Electric City--that's culture).  Civic culture, not taxes or pretty pictures, attract the creative class; young professionals that will make small but numerous invenstments in a downtown.  We care about taxes, but we care more about feeling like we have found a cool place to live.  Consider that a young professional, under 30 and earning 40k a year and living in the commercial downtown, will spend 3-4x what a worker living outside of the downtown (working, not living in the downtown).  The response of a "stupid sign" is the problem that faces your city.  Lack of interest and pride in the small things that are unique to your city, that give it a sense of place that is not found anywhere else, is the problem that you need to overcome.  Not who's in office and how much the unions are raking in.  If you don't believe me, read those books that I listed above and focus on my statement as you read. 

Please remember: I know Scranton has her problems.  All urban centers do.  But, Scranton leaves something that is desirable or people like you wouldn't be so concerned about her vitality.  Fix your problems, but take pride in the accomplishments of your city, regardless of who spreadheaded the effort.  Take some time this weekend to go out and enjoy your city instead of sitting at a computer and fuming about what bugs you.  Lord knows that's what I'll do in Allentown and Bethlehem.  And yes, if I'm deciding where to live in the Scranton area and I see a sign illuminated that tells me there is a sense of ownership and place, I'll move there, pay slightly higher taxes and likely raise my family.  If you don't think there are tons of 22-30 year olds like me, then explain the rebirth of Bethlehem, West Chester, Downington, Kutztown, Maniyunk (the taxes in these towns are insane and I live in one of the highest in Eastern PA) and other small towns and cities across the commonwealth.  It's my generation that's bringing them back and will maintain them and taxes aren't even on the radar.

Again, congrats.  If you can't accept a compliment, the do your town a favor and get out.  Go live in Kunkle.  I hear taxes are low around there and the living is simple.

From what I have read and seen of Scranton, i agree that they do miss the nexus on social and economic policy.  Unfortunately, many cities and towns seem to think that the focus has to be one or the other, but too often they cross at the same point.  Creative leaders get that.  Creative leaders wouldn't turn a KOZ into a residential district (it's happened in other areas with terrible results).  That just blows my mind away!  Scranton is just waiting for problems in the future on that one.

As for Richard Florida's book, it's really a great book.  Get it at the library if you can.  From the standpoint of urban studies scholarship, it's terrible.  But from the standpoint of what is happening in cities, it's great b/c it mixes the sociology and the economics.  More over, it goes into focus on the emerging demographics of cities in the 21st century.  In short, since you're in a city with a university anchoring much of the current focus, you might want to get some insight on what makes the consumer base and the new residential base tick.

Just remember, many volunteers and stakeholders are working their tails off to turn the city around, many of whom have no political clout.  The award Scranton Alive won should help those people feel as if they are going a good job.  The award is not meant to validate political leadership that seems to be lacking in a grasp of urban policy and creative decision making.  In fact, if any of the political leaders act as if they are responsible, point out that the volunteers did the fundraising and leg work, not the city.

As far as my youthful optimism, since i have family in the Scranton area, I'll let you know 10 years from now where we can go for dinner. 

The sign is expensive no doubt, but my understanding is that the development planning that was done for it included fundraising far above the actual cost of rehab.  It included operating expenses as well so the concern about cost might be negated, unless we do have the energy crisis that we've all been warned about.

Regarding the creative class, I would suggest reading the book.  A city of 72,000 is not doomed as a market b/c Bethlehem is about that size and is the historic section and the south side are both attractions for the Lehigh Valley, and I currently live in a town of 17,000 with a university that has been dubbed "The Perfect Town" by several newspapers.  The concept of a town as a self-contained market no longer applies, not with the Home Depot and Wal Mart on the edge of any given town and the car being the preferred mode of transportation.  It needs to be unique (cafe's, unique eating establishments, art galleries, odd shops, fancy bakeries, etc) from the regional market that already exists, offering goods and services that draw people into town on a friday evening or a Saturday/Sunday afternoon.  After being drawn into town, the creative class will likely set up shop, living above shops or buying old town homes, renovating them, and living in them.  Given the descriptions you listed of different establishments, I would guess that you might have a couple of bad business owners who failed to market their services well and also lacked in the delivery too.  But revitalizing a town is about change, and I hate to say it, but the town typically has to change.  Yes, businesses moving in and investers committing money need to respect the town's history, but if the political leaders and long time residents don't change significantly then the same results or similar results will repeat themselves.  Trust me, I've been a downtown manager long enough to know what works and what it takes to make something work.  Patience, an open mind and a willingness to experiment all go into the process.  You don't have to be NYC to be successful but you do have to dream like you live in NY and act as if you are just as great a place to live and work.

Again, I wish Scanton and her people all the luck in the world in this endeavor and I'll be certain to come and shop/eat when I visit my family still living in the area.  Who knows, maybe someday I'll have great reason to move back.