In Durham, NC, Downtown Durham Inc. has developed a 10-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening the downtown economy while preserving its historic character and making the district more accessible and affordable to residents and businesses. Known as Blueprint 2035, the wide-ranging plan was unveiled and adopted by the city council in 2025. Four strategies emerged…Continue reading
The annual garage racing championship in Arlington, VA, has grown into the National Landing BID's longest-running signature event. Instead of closing downtown streets for a traditional cycling competition, organizers create a course spanning two levels of a parking garage. The ramps, tight corners, and changes in elevation become obstacles that test riders’ technical skills. Equally…Continue reading
Heart of Ellsworth, in Ellsworth, ME, has launched an initiative to increase downtown housing by activating underutilized spaces. The project is a partnership between Heart of Ellsworth, the City of Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth Public Library. The Mid-Coast Board of Realtors is also contributing expertise and a $5,000 grant to hire a consultant to assess…Continue reading
For the past two summers, Vancouver, BC, Canada, has piloted a pedestrian zone in the city’s Gastown district. The zone operated on Sundays from June through August. The pilot tested changes to traffic circulation, cycling infrastructure, public seating, patio spaces, shared market stalls, and programming such as a public disco, flower market, and art battle.…Continue reading
Lewiston, ME, kicked off a successful busking festival in 2025. And in Lawrence, KS, and Burlington, VT, busker fests have been going strong for two decades. Buskers are street performers who toil for tips. Bringing them together in one downtown at one time can provide a low-budget way to fill an event schedule and downtown…Continue reading
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
