In April, the Flatiron NoMad Partnership in New York City notified BID members of an upcoming film shoot in the district. The BID has been the site of several movie and TV productions in recent years. Filming a movie downtown can bring significant economic, cultural, and promotional benefits, often injecting substantial revenue into local businesses…Continue reading

 

Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) placemaking projects are low-cost, short-term, and often temporary installations that can quickly improve a space before investing in permanent solutions. The term, coined over 40 years ago, continues to influence downtown development with projects ranging from quick low-cost approaches to pedestrian safety to creating green gathering spaces when and where they…Continue reading

 

In 2025, the City of Oakland Park, FL, moved from its long-time city hall location into leased space in a new downtown office building. The move provided the city with both modern office space and an opportunity to bring new housing downtown. The building is being demolished to make way for 311 apartments, with 10…Continue reading

 

In Montpelier, VT, the downtown is recovering from a natural disaster that struck more than two years ago. One linchpin of the rebound is the illumination of 10 downtown bridges over the river that inundated the city. Beyond the lights themselves, downtown leaders worked to establish a new identity for the capital city as The…Continue reading

 

When construction comes downtown, the impact on local businesses can be overwhelming. But with careful planning and action — such as clear signage, maintained pedestrian access, communication with business owners, and scheduling work to minimize disruption — communities can protect the economic health of local businesses and the downtown overall. Around the country, local governments,…Continue reading