AUBURN — A downtown walking tour will focus on how the city’s architecture shuns evening pedestrians and ways to change that.

Al Manoian, Auburn’s economic development specialist, will lead a tour of the downtown, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday in front of Auburn Hall.

“I very purposely set this up during the transition from late daylight to evening,” Manoian said. “That’s why I’m bringing my lanterns.”

“It’s important for people to understand how architecture, windows and designs, really alters the vibe of walking around the downtown,” he said. “There’s a difference between feeling comfortable walking around in the daylight and really feeling comfortable walking around in the evening. The key to great downtowns today, especially for young professionals, is a comfortable downtown evening scene.”

This is Manoian’s third downtown walking tour. He took a group on similar walking tours of downtown and New Auburn in August.

“Folks really seem to be valuing getting out of the meetings and buildings and getting right out into the street, especially in terms of urban design and economic development,” Manoian said. “They’ve told me they really want to get out and do more of this.”

[email protected]