Blount Hunter is an analyst, a numbers guy who understands the realities that generate the statistics. Downtown Greensboro, Inc., hired him to examine retailing and the use of space in general in the Center City. It’s a job he has done for many cities across the nation. His Greensboro report will be released today.

Springboard spoke with Hunter the other day and asked if downtown Greensboro is on the right path. He found much to like, he said, and some situations that — in his informed opinion — need to be addressed if downtown retailing is to move to the next level.

His analysis found several “great retailers,” which he defined as businesses that operate on several fronts. These retailers are businesses that offer products not generally available elsewhere in the city; and they are products that prompt casual or impulse purchases by visitors whose primary mission downtown is to dine, visit galleries, clubs or the theater.

These businesses, Blount said, have a “certain amount of stability, either because they have an Internet presence, or because they have a wholesale business, and they are covering a lot of their costs by that side of their business. But they want to have a front door, and a presence on Elm Street.

“I find that that’s typical in a lot of main street settings, that a merchant has a retail business and a wholesale business or a catalog business or an an Internet business out the back door. That’s really very smart.”

With multiple revenue streams, the pressure of relying on retail sales alone is much less intense.

Hunter believes that a successful downtown develops its own personality; that means it isn’t populated with cookie-cutter retailers who have stores in virtually every shopping center or metro downtown. In other words, entrepreneurs will define Greensboro’s downtown.

“Downtown Greensboro is the optimum place for Greensboro to be itself and to show the world what it’s all about,” Hunter said. “In those beautiful historic buildings, and in that cluster along Elm Street, this is the place for Greensboro to demonstrate its own unique personality.”

Here’s the News & Record’s story.

Greensboro lands another corporate headquarters as Mack Trucks relocates from Pennsylvania to be near its sister company, Volvo Trucks North America. Nearly 500 good-paying jobs is welcome news for the local economy.

A project sign on New Garden Road. Being green matters.

And here’s the day’s schedule. Charlotte Trip Schedule

Time Warner Cable News 14

WBTV

Lunch with the legendary Hugh McColl is not to be missed. After all, he turned NCNB into Bank of America. McColl spoke to those on Action Greensboro’s field trip to Charlotte Tuesday, and it’s a safe bet that there’s no bigger proponent — anywhere — of making downtowns vibrant.

Some of his observations:

• The center city is what brings together citizens of all socio-economic groups. Have something for everyone, he urges. An opera house on one corner and a Hooters across the street. It’s all good.

• A 24-hour city attracts talent. “If we want to attract the brightest and the best,” McColl says, “we have to have a vital center city.” Virtually no one lived in downtown Charlotte 35 years ago. Now tens of thousands of citizens reside in uptown Charlotte.

• Concentrate assets downtown. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, now under construction, is downtown for a reason. So are three performing arts centers. So is the new Mint Museum of Craft + Design. So is Johnson & Wales University, the culinary school Charlotte lured away from Charleston. Success breeds success.

• Be proud to pay high wages. McColl mentioned one of his current ventures, which occupies the 54th floor of Bank of America Corporate Center. McColl Partners employs dozens of young professionals, and he says he’s glad to pay six-figure salaries. “They make a lot of money for me,” he says. Virtually all live in uptown Charlotte.

• Always look at least 50 years down the road. Twenty-five years = shortsighted vision. Plan and execute. Don’t back up.

Greensboro can’t be, doesn’t want to be, Charlotte. But we can learn a lot from our sister city to the south.

Greensboro City Councilwoman Goldie Wells chats with Hugh McColl.

Also on hand: former Greensboro City Manager Bill Carstarphen, who handles government relations for the Charlotte Area Transit System and LYNX, the light rail system.

There was lots to impress us, but most stunning was this: Charlotte and Mecklenburg elected officials and public servants appear to respect one another. Even when they disagree.

City and county staff communicate regularly. Formally and informally. They say they have different responsibilities, but one goal: to serve the public and move Charlotte-Mecklenburg forward.

Sibling rivalries are out. Cooperation is in.

Stunning.

First stop: LYNX, the brand spanking new light-rail line. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who has deep Guilford County roots, was on hand to welcome the crowd. Below: McCrory chats with Greensboro Mayor Yvonne Johnson at a park-and-ride station.

The most impressive thing about Charlotte’s first light-rail installation: ridership is running 67 percent ahead of projections. More cars have been ordered.

Greensboro visitors filled an entire LYNX car.

Arriving in uptown (downtown) Charlotte.

So we explained our geography to him. Center of the state, an easy drive to the coast and the mountains, yada yada yada. He said he was a bow hunter and had spent a week floating a river in Alaska. Saw one moose, but his arrow never left the quiver.

So we mentioned that Greensboro residents can be kayaking on the Dan River in 40 minutes or hiking the Uwharrie National Forest in about an hour. The Blue Ridge is an easy afternoon excursion.

Wow, he said. You know, that would really appeal to a lot of people, especially young professionals who crave outdoor activities. They love that kind of stuff.

Excellent, we thought. Action Greensboro’s plan is on the right track.