The good news for America’s downtowns is that the U.S. economy has made a robust recovery from the pandemic. People are traveling, dining out, shopping, and otherwise going about their daily lives.
The bad news? Downtown streets are once again overwhelmed with delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and side hustlers dropping off meals and groceries.
The August issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter looks at three approaches downtown leaders are taking to managing the curb.
In one example, downtown Sioux Falls, SD, has begun designating certain areas as parking “express zones.”
The 15-minute parking spots replace a combination of commercial loading zones, taxi zones, 20-minute carryout spaces, and metered spots.
Express zones may be used by anyone for deliveries, pickup, loading, unloading, and ride-sharing without the need for commercial signage or plates.
“We’re consistently looking for ways to continue to support our businesses in our downtown and to better utilize our shared-use spaces,” says Matt Nelson, the city’s public parking facilities manager.
More on managing congestion at the curb appears in the pages of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Click below to learn more about Downtown Idea Exchange and other resources for revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors.