David McDonald

David McDonald has observed firsthand the exodus out of hundreds of cities, many over several decades. He scrutinized what cities did to try and regain their lost vibrance. Repeatedly, they committed virtually the same errors and almost never achieved success. Understanding the true nature of this exodus is essential to recognizing the solution—there is, indeed, a solution. Several cities have inadvertently implemented the right strategies to save themselves and have consistently succeeded.

"Saving America's Cities: A Tried and Proven Plan to Revive Stagnant and Decaying Cities" is a book by McDonald in which he states, "This book gives you a very straightforward and mechanical approach to actually begin the process of saving your cities. It provides a true vision for growth in most of our stagnant and decaying cities—and even for our healthy ones." He discusses the historical errors cities have made and lays out a systematic approach to reviving them, using customized statistics and proven methods.

For over 38 years, David McDonald has founded two retail chains and co-founded two additional chains. One of his ventures, Fashion Accents, was sold to F. W. Woolworth in 1989 to be merged into their "Afterthoughts" Division. He has significantly contributed as the Director of Development for one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the U.S., and has directed strategic growth initiatives for 13 retail chains, including Elder-Beerman Department Stores and various entertainment venues. He has worked in and analyzed countless towns and cities across the US, leveraging his extensive experience in managing and leasing shopping malls and strip shopping centers, and engaging in commercial lending and appraising. McDonald's expertise as a demographic analyst is backed by three decades of creating his own reports, contributing to his comprehensive insight into urban planning and retail placement. As a commercial pilot in the mid-1970s, McDonald utilized his skills to aid rapid retail expansions into suburbs by assessing potential store locations from the air, showcasing a unique approach to geographic and demographic challenges.