Downtown Digest News • Web Extras
The city of Houghton, MI, is determined to meet two goals each winter: keeping walkways clear and comfortable, and creating as many fun, outdoor events as possible. "We try to keep things walkable for folks," says City Manager Eric Waara. And, in addition to plowing the streets, the city provides outdoor "winter harbors," areas where…Continue reading
The two-block retail corridor in downtown Kirkland, WA, has been redeveloped as an award winning American "woonerf," a Dutch word that translates loosely as "living street." The plaza-like lane is now a pedestrian-friendly gathering space, while remaining open to vehicles, as well. The transformation did not happen overnight. The 2008-2013 Capital Improvement Program allocated funding…Continue reading
White Box programs are proving effective at driving redevelopment in city centers and getting hard to fill spaces rented. The programs typically help fund improvements to heating/cooling systems, lighting, electrical systems, bathrooms, and finished (but not yet painted) ceilings and floors. Improvements that are meant to make older buildings habitable for new users. While many…Continue reading
Tasting rooms and events featuring local wineries and craft breweries have proved popular downtown. Now cities are finding distilleries are equally suited to the city center. The February issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter highlights three distilleries that are contributing to historic preservation and attracting visitors and locals alike. In one example, the St. Augustine (FL) Distillery…Continue reading
A dedicated downtown app for Apple and Android smartphones is helping consumers find new destinations and parking in Millburn, NJ, and allowing merchants to attract new customers. Users can browse by category, such as "Fine Dining," or search by keywords to find products, services, and special offers. The app has "beacon technology," says Gillian Moritz,…Continue reading
The Full Forward Business Competition in Florence, SC, is attracting successful business owners to open a second location or a new venture in the city’s downtown. The contest, which launched in May, was publicized heavily via social media, along with mailings to business owners statewide. One winning entry received $20,000 in cash for expenses related…Continue reading
Every other week we post a brief article from Downtown Idea Exchange. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment to streetscape improvements to festivals and events. To wrap up the year, we’re highlighting five of our favorite posts. Creative, informative, and adaptable, they showcase some of the best work in downtown…Continue reading
Downtown Lynn, MA, is seeing a huge investment in revitalization via the arts. Recently, the 10-day Beyond Walls mural festival changed the face of downtown, and attracted more than 2,700 visitors to the festival’s grand finale. Beyond Walls founder Alfred Wilson says he is inspired by art-centric revitalization in cities like Miami, Philadelphia, and the…Continue reading
Earlier this year, the Issaquah, WA, council approved the city’s Downtown Streetscape Plan. The plan seeks to increase pedestrian friendliness, support local businesses, create a consistent downtown character, and make Olde Town a place where people enjoy spending time. The plan includes creation of a festival street — a street designated for recurring temporary closure…Continue reading
A new park on eight acres beneath an Interstate 93 underpass now links two downtown neighborhoods in Boston, MA, while also providing an active urban space, cultural attraction, and parking amenity. Landscaped pedestrian boardwalks and bicycle paths along the Fort Point Channel create new connections between communities previously separated by highway infrastructure. This new park…Continue reading
Millburn, NJ, adopted a Complete Streets program in 2014, outlining a series of goals and objectives to make the streets safer for pedestrians, improve traffic flow, address intersection congestion, and slow traffic where appropriate. A three-phase implementation plan was developed with a robust series of traffic calming and other improvements that include road-diets, curb bump-outs,…Continue reading
Demolition of a downtown shopping mall in Muskegon, MI, several years ago created a gap in the retail fabric of the city center. This year, the city and Downtown Muskegon Now filled the vacant block with small prefab retail spaces in an effort to create more connectivity for pedestrians. Six buildings were constructed over the…Continue reading
