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Downtown Attracts Young Workers

December 5, 2024
When it comes to the relationship between downtown streetscapes and a city’s economic vitality, state officials in Michigan are using the same playbook as urban placemakers. In October, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced it would direct $1.37 million in grants to Lansing, MI, for the Talent Investment Pilot Project. At first…Continue reading

 

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Encouraging Infill Development Downtown

November 21, 2024
Downtowns have experienced a dramatic renaissance in recent years. But many still struggle with unused and underused spaces, ranging from abandoned manufacturing facilities to obsolete warehouses to vacant lots. Filling in the gaps isn’t easy. In fact, downtown leaders often need to figure out ways to encourage developers to invest in infill projects. The November…Continue reading

 

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Downtown Podcast Spreads the Word

November 14, 2024
During the pandemic, Seattle’s downtown leaders fretted that media coverage about the district often focused on closed businesses, empty streets, and other reflections of a lagging recovery. The Downtown Seattle Association decided to push back by taking matters into its own hands with a downtown podcast. The twice-monthly Seattle City Makers Podcast presents a conversational…Continue reading

 

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Hype Teams Support Downtowns

November 7, 2024
In Macon, GA, the Hype Team is promoting the downtown and welcoming visitors. The team is made up of 60 volunteers who sport orange T-shirts and serve as downtown ambassadors. They provide information to visitors, build relationships with merchants, and promote downtown Macon on their personal social media accounts. An article in the November issue…Continue reading

 

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Waiving Parking Minimums Pays Off for College Town

September 19, 2024
In Champaign, IL, reducing minimum parking requirements (MPRs) has spurred development and boosted the density of both downtown Champaign and the urban district anchored by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. That’s according to University of Illinois researchers Bumsoo Lee and Srirang Sohoni. The city provides an early case study of the impact of removing…Continue reading

 

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Cargo Bikes Reduce Congestion Downtown

September 12, 2024
It’s a familiar problem in downtowns throughout the U.S. — Large delivery trucks block traffic as the driver stops at the curb to drop off a single small package. In an attempt to address the congestion caused by package deliveries, some cities are experimenting with bicycles to get packages to their final destination. One high-profile…Continue reading

 

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Free Rent Program Fills Vacant Space

September 5, 2024
In addition to filling empty storefronts, a new free-rent program in San Francisco is attracting a fresh crop of local retailers. Under the program, city and business leaders offer up to six months of free rent, along with funding for start-up expenses. During the first round, landlords were hoping the economy was going to improve…Continue reading

 

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