In Chattanooga, TN, a program to encourage merchants to update downtown storefronts has seen strong early results. The nonprofit River City Company’s Scenic Storefronts program launched in November 2025 with $500,000 in funding from the Chattanooga City Council. To date, the program has spurred millions in new investment and more than 75 jobs, says Sarah…Continue reading

 

Visit Main Street in Littleton, NH, and you’re likely to hear people playing pianos set up along Main Street sidewalks. Head a block from Main Street and you’ll find public xylophones installed at Harmony Park along the Ammonoosuc Riverwalk. Littleton’s experiment with outdoor instruments as a placemaking tool has endured. While many downtowns have tested…Continue reading

 

Despite growing public concern about Flock cameras, some communities are ramping up use of surveillance cameras downtown. As part of the Strengthen the Core downtown revitalization master plan, the City of Windsor, Ont., Canada launched Project Greenlight in May. The project will see the installation of green-light cameras on as many as 90 businesses throughout…Continue reading

 

In an effort to make downtown safer and more attractive, Louisville, KY, is replacing downtown stop lights with stop signs. The move is part of a larger plan that includes returning one-way streets to two-way, removing excess lanes, and adding parking and bike lanes. The plan was presented at the Downtown Louisville Partnership's State of…Continue reading

 

Volunteers are an essential part of every downtown organization. They offer essential insight, credibility, and capacity. However, finding great volunteers, creating meaningful work, and keeping them on board can be a challenge. Despite the obstacles, well-trained and managed volunteers can make a significant contribution. The August issue of Downtown Idea Exchange covers examples of volunteers staffing a…Continue reading

 

In many cities, public drinking areas have been approved quickly and with little debate. In Waynesville, NC, the effort took years. Many residents expressed concerns about public drunkenness, crime, and an erosion of Waynesville’s image as a family-friendly destination. A combination of temporary programs, public meetings, and resident and business surveys paved the way to…Continue reading