How did they do it?

Every downtown is different, as is the formula to make it survive and thrive.

Here’s a cursory look at some of the amenities, rules and incentives in several southern downtowns with some form of an entertainment district.

BATON ROUGE

Downtown status: Populated with more festivals and markets, and much more nightlife than five years ago; city and business leaders are developing rules and incentives for the new Arts and Entertainment District.

Open container: Only in specific areas during permitted festivals and concerts.

Sidewalk dining/drinking: Yes, but at permitted restaurants only.

Street closures: No regular closures. Need police approval 45 days before event.

Incentives: Downtown low-interest loans, tax credits for restoring registered historic buildings, five-year property tax abatement on improvements to structures.

LAFAYETTE

Downtown status: Small but lively, lately Lafayette’s downtown district has been drawing Baton Rougeans for more than Festival International.

Open container: Yes, in go-cups. No glasses allowed.

Sidewalk dining/drinking: Yes, but at permitted restaurants only.

Street closures: No regular closures. Only for permitted events.

Incentives: Low-interest revolving loan fund for façade improvements.

LITTLE ROCK

Downtown status: Situated between the large River Market arts district, a redeveloped warehouse district and the Arkansas River, the creative class is flocking to Little Rock’s downtown to do a little rockin’.

Open container: Only during the annual Riverfest.

Sidewalk dining/drinking: Yes, but only if dining area has rails or other barrier.

Street closures: No regular closures. Special permitted events only.

Incentives: None.

RALEIGH

Downtown status: 15,000-plus residents live in the heart of downtown Raleigh, the cultural epicenter of the state’s “Research Triangle,” with another 2,600 units under construction.

Open container: No.

Sidewalk dining/drinking: Yes, but only at permitted restaurants.

Street closures: No regular closures. City Council approval required.

Incentives: None. Downtown businesses pay an additional Business Improvement District tax.

AUSTIN

Downtown status: More than the dozens of bars and restaurants on Sixth Street, Austin has a number of upscale restaurants, hotels and corporate headquarters downtown, and an emerging Second Street shopping district.

Open container: Yes, during permitted street festivals.

Sidewalk dining/drinking: Yes, restaurants only.

Street closures: Sixth Street closes every weekend night. Others closed for festivals.

Incentives: The Congress Avenue Retail Retention and Enhancement Fund, a loan program to keep businesses downtown that would otherwise be forced out by development.