Pessimists who were ready to write downtown Prov0’s obituary with the opening of nearby shopping centers had better take another look. True, there are a few unoccupied business buildings. But that can happen in any city, and new businesses as well as old ones continue to show faith in Provo. Building activity continues on a reasonable scale, and this week’s Utah Foundation report shows business volume increased 3.5 per cent in Provo last year. The formdation report said the gain in business volume for the state as a whole amounted to 11.8 per cent. Applying the inflation factor the net gain for tl1e state was only 0.7 per cent and Provo’s figure amounted to a net loss. Even so, the record fared reasonably well compared with the experience of the entire nation which last year registered an over-all decline of 2.2 per cent in personal consumption expenditures stated in constant dollars. To look at the building situation in Provo, including downtown: The Commercial Security Bank has its new building under construction at Second North and University Ave.; First Security has a germit for a new bank at 442 .900 E., and Zion First National is planning a $78,000 addition at its bank at 1060 N, University. The Harmon Chicken people are remodeling the former candies store at 410 N. University and have purchased the old apartment property to the north for parking and other expansion features. Across the street at Fourth North and University Avenue Jim Winterton is completing a new office building. The Magleby people plan a realty office building at 1675 N. 200 W., while across the street the new Burger King restaurant is in operation. A new sandwich shop is going into a remodeled building at 163 W. Center. A new auto parts store will be constructed next to Sprouse – Reitz at about 75 N. 500 W. D. R. Norton plans a $130,000 warehouse at 459 E. 1325 S., and Gene Majors has a warehouse slated at 820 N. 2115 W. Seven-eleven stores are due at 615 W, Center and 1690 W. Center. These and other projects planned, under way, or recently-completed – amount to a airly – impressive picture. In the non-business sector, the LDS Church is constructing its $15 million language training mission. BYU bas some things going also, including a multi-milliondollar library addition and the new law school now nearing completion. Condominium expansion continues with at least three projects under construction now. Plans for two additional ones have been submitted for the city’s scrutiny. One of these is to cost $830,000 for only the first half of the project. Home construction, somewhat under wraps during the- winter, is moving out again, lwith 30 to 40 new ones authorized by the city building inspector in the last month or so. Instead of declining, Provo obviously is making good strides of growth. Drive around the town, note the activity, check the figures – and you’ll be convinced the “old town” still knows the meaning of progress.