It is my hope that everyone is enjoying this great fall weather! We are fortunate to have such a good climate that offers different opportunities as the weather changes to enjoy our Washington.

With that, let me touch on a secret that is creeping into our town, and many may not have noticed it yet — uptown housing! Let us discuss this in the following paragraphs.

Since taking this job and being exposed to the revitalization and economic development arena, I have enjoyed watching this growth. People who live within a mile radius of our central business district are the ones who use it the most. Also, the central business district is one of our country’s largest employers (1,200-1,600 is the national average), which does not hurt either. Folks it is happening, and for one, this excites me.

Washington has historic buildings that can be converted into affordable apartments above our existing stores. These could offer a beautiful view of our Pamlico River. Plus, it is conveniently close to the shops, restaurants, services and other amenities our downtown offers. These new people could only boost our economy and help our many retailers.

Downtown living offers more safety for the local merchants. The more people who live in and around our central business district can offer “eyes on the streets” and can help alleviate any possible crime in this area. This will help our storeowners and could become one of our safest neighborhoods. The more residential housing in and around downtown will only help build a neighborhood and not just a commercial district.

Another factor for downtown living is a term we have learned — walkability. This truly allows its residents to live, shop, dine and play in uptown Washington without having to drive. More and more people want this, and it will bring more retailers to our central business district, thus increasing the competition among businesses. We need grocery stores, shoe stores and shops for boating provisions, all within walking distance. For those shops to come, uptown housing is a must, and what better place than uptown Washington?

My final thought: we need uptown living is to attract more retirees to our area. Living close to the water and being able to use their boats, walking to the Turnage, shopping and dining is more incentive for them to move here. Providing rental apartments or even condos above our buildings is something we need. This could build our housing stock without infringing on rural open spaces and foster a walkable neighborhood close to downtown.

Let us all hope that we can encourage our building owners to explore this possibility. Let us not fool ourselves, and take advantage of our historical buildings and help our retailers along our central business district. It is needed!

With the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons rapidly approaching, please let us make the last quarter for our businesses better than ever. Let us give them the first choice and shop, dine and play in beautiful Washington. If you have time, you can always take a walk with the H-Rob!

Harold Robinson is the executive director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance.