What makes some downtowns a desired destination and others best forgotten? It is often a combination of factors including accentuating the physical beauty of the location, great streetscapes, preserved historical locales, walkability, and a vibrant mix of stores. But first and foremost it is a community that has a sense of who they are and what they want to be. Defining the key attributes that create that sense of place is a critical but often forgotten first step in a community redesign project. As Long Islanders commit themselves to reinvigorating our downtowns, we offer these inspirational examples of community done right.