Thursday's session was organized by Fresno's Leading Young Professionals. They are a dynamic group, and a great resource for downtown.

Many addressed the need for much more housing downtown, which we continue to regard as the most urgent element of revitalization. It's also important to get the right mix of upscale residences and more affordable space; an eclectic socio-economic range among residents is a vital element of vibrant downtowns.

More bars, restaurants, galleries and other entertainment venues are much on the minds of downtown boosters, but such services will, for the most part, follow an increase in downtown's permanent population. That's also true for more mundane enterprises, such as grocery stores, dry cleaners, clothing stores and other retailers.

Good news may be coming soon on that front. The Forest Cities development firm, which has been looking at projects in the area south of Chukchansi Park, is expected to unveil its plans before the end of the month, and a strong housing element is expected to be part of those plans.

Another promising development is the planned skating-rink/apartment project proposed adjacent to Selland Arena.

The city needs to move ahead with the establishment of a property-based business investment district, or PBID, which is an excellent way to pay for many of the improvements downtown needs.

Other pieces of the downtown puzzle are better lighting, better maintenance and more frequent cleaning, restoration of old facades on buildings, more green spaces and more efficient public transportation.

All across the country cities are seeing a renewed interest in their downtowns, often among so-called "knowledge workers," usually younger, often single, mostly childless and cosmopolitan in their tastes. But it isn't limited to those folks. Many retirees and other empty nesters seek smaller living quarters surrounded by abundant opportunities for entertainment and other diversions.

Downtown Fresno has reached the point of critical mass in terms of support. There are clearly sufficient people in the region who would love to have a chance to live in a more intense, livelier urban atmosphere than is available in the suburbs. It is time to give them that chance.