Scavenger hunts can draw people into downtown and highlight all that city center has to offer. In Maine, the Downtown Bangor Partnership hosted a scavenger hunt in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Solving clues about local architecture and history netted participants cookies and a DIY gift. Participants followed clues to 12 downtown locations.…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed thousands of lives while spreading untold fear. Yet the crisis also unleashed a wave of creativity. For evidence, look to the city of Baltimore’s Design for Distancing contest, a program created to elicit ideas for innovative responses to the COVID-19 recession. The competition brought more than 160 entries, many from…To read more — login/subscribe
…parking needs by five to 15 percent. However, when combined into an integrated parking management program they can often reduce parking needs by 20 to 40 percent. Parking Management Best Practices provides a blueprint for evaluating and implementing these strategies and developing an integrated parking plan for your community…. Continue reading
Downtown leaders in Macon, GA (est. pop. 153,159), had an idea that seemed far-fetched. They hoped to spur interest in local merchants by printing their own currency, and then setting up a unique scavenger hunt based on the custom scrip. When local residents expanded the game to Facebook, and small businesses began hosting events based…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to bring shoppers downtown and compete with nearby areas, a Canadian improvement district dusted off a classic downtown retail promotion and added some aggressive marketing techniques. The Glebe Spree, hosted by the Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA) of Ottawa, ON, Canada, is a program that runs from November 15 through December 31.…To read more — login/subscribe
Like many U.S. cities, San Francisco was hit hard by the pandemic. A city program to offer free rent to merchants is bringing back some activity — and luring some wary merchants who ultimately sign long-term leases. Vacant to Vibrant was launched last year by Mayor London Breed to fill empty space downtown, the area…To read more — login/subscribe
Columbus, OH (est. pop. 902,073), faced a problem familiar to many car-centric cities. There wasn’t enough parking, yet downtown workers were reluctant to take public transit. So downtown leaders spearheaded a solution, in the form of a program that gives free bus passes to many downtown workers. The program was a success — transit ridership…To read more — login/subscribe
One of the quickest ways to get the word out about community assets is to attract travel writers. The August issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter looked at two small communities’ successful media programs and provided tips on how to garner press coverage. For example, every state has one or more writers associations that can be…Continue reading
Little Haddonfield, NJ (est. pop. 11,428), was founded in the 18th century, and the downtown’s vibe harkens back to the early 20th century. “It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting,” says Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt of Suasion Communications Group, downtown Haddonfield’s public relations firm. But historic Haddonfield has turned to a decidedly postmodern way to market its downtown:…To read more — login/subscribe
Mentor, OH, identified social marketing as the best way to attract area millennials to explore the community and settle down. The city ran a commercial on Pandora online radio and an ad on Facebook. The Facebook ads had the potential to reach 400,000 Facebook users and were targeted to those aged 18 to 35 who…Continue reading
