Demographics

Downtown Sanford is located in the heart of Lee County, the southern base of the state's famed Research Triangle region. Here, the best of small-town life blends easily with high-tech industry to produce an unrivaled quality of life.

· Downtown has several strong businesses that have been in business for more than 30 years.

· Downtown has several groupings or clusters of business uses that together, generate customer traffic and sales. The six largest business clusters are antiques & furniture; artisans, craftsman & antiques; theater & children's cultural activities; automotive parts and service; financial & professional services; and local restaurants.

· Although the downtown is not a center for government, there are several governmental uses in the downtown. These uses, along with financial, professional and service businesses, generate customer traffic for retailers and employment opportunities for hundreds of persons

· The Temple Theater's success has created regional awareness for the downtown and generated sales for the surrounding retail and restaurants establishments.

· The downtown program has generated over six million dollars in new investment over the past ten years, with over 45 building renovations. Through a matching grant program, Downtown Sanford Inc. has helped finance 122 façade improvements.

· There have been several major private and public investment projects downtown, including Old City Hall, the Temple Theatre, the Makepeace and Wilrik Apartments, and the Lee Furniture Building. Three major projects, Depot Park, the Southern National Building, and the Buggy Factory are currently under construction.

· Downtown's lower rent structure provides opportunities for ownership and lease rates unavailable elsewhere in the County.

· There has been a significant increase in real estate transactions downtown. Property disposition is often an important precursor to subsequent renovation and property enhancement.

· The downtown has a National Register district whose buildings have remained relatively intact.

· Downtown is convenient to adjacent residential areas and a welcome alternative to cookie cutter shopping centers.

· Downtown Sanford has an adequate supply of both on and off street parking. Identified problems are being addressed through more efficient use of existing spaces and better management practices.