SHEBOYGAN, wI (WHBL) - About 100 people showed up at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center last night to share their ideas on improving Sheboygan’s downtown. Mayor Mike Vandersteen was there to welcome the group. He said the central business district is important to the city's future but there are vacancies and empty lots which need to be filled. The consultant hired by the city and the Business Improvement District outlined some current trends that are influencing downtown development. Bradley Segal explained that the world market has pushed up prices for things like fuel, steel and concrete and that is making the downtown more desireable. He said it's less costly to use existing infrastructure and re-do older buildings. He also said that lifestyle changes are making downtowns more desireable. Segal said today's younger generation is foregoing cars for bikes and walking and they prefer the compact atmosphere of the downtown. Segal said they will return in about a month with a draft plan on how to improve the downtown. A plan, he said, that is practical and can actually be accomplished.