When the tobacco industry left Danville, VA, decades ago, it left the downtown with massive inventory of vacant space. There was no easy solution, Danville lacked the population and wealth to attract national retailers. The city also lacked a core of local merchants. "There was a lot of infrastructure, but really not a robust business…Continue reading
The city of Auburn, ME, wants to support small local grocery stores — and it’s using $150,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to make that goal a reality. The Auburn Neighborhood Corner Store program aims to give $35,000 apiece to each of four local grocers. To be eligible, stores must generate at least half their…Continue reading
Albuquerque, NM, is trying a novel approach to quelling crime in a problematic area downtown: It’s bringing in food trucks. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has labeled two parking lots on Central Avenue as "drivers of crime." To address the issues there, the city plans a "food truck corral" that will operate on Friday and Saturday…Continue reading
Boston recently joined a growing number of cities that have made nighttime management a priority. Boston hired its first nightlife economy director, making the position part of the mayor's cabinet. In most cities, the position — often called night mayor — aims to rein in rowdy nightlife. In Boston, the challenge is to liven things…Continue reading
Bike libraries — a concept that lets people check out bicycles like books or DVDs — are popping up across the country. Some programs offer access to e-bikes, but most focus on traditional pedal-powered bikes. Some initiatives are associated with universities, others with public libraries. But all put bike share programs within reach of more…Continue reading
Louisville, KY, will use public art to improve pedestrian safety at four downtown intersections. Louisville’s new Community Crosswalks program was inspired by the Asphalt Art Safety Study. The study by Bloomberg Philanthropies found that after asphalt art was installed, intersections experienced a 50 percent drop in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists and a 37 percent reduction in crashes leading…Continue reading
Art on the Town was created to help artists in Lexington, KY, show and sell their work. The program features eight carts that are available seven days a week at no cost to artists. "The carts are mobile and can move around within several areas of downtown Lexington," says Heather Lyons, director of arts and…Continue reading
Many downtowns have experimented with gift card programs. But the initiative in Middletown, CT, is going strong after 18 years. The Middletown Downtown Business District launched its gift card program in 2005. After some fits and starts, downtown leaders overhauled it in 2010 with a new technology provider, says Sandra Russo-Driska, the organization’s coordinator. The…Continue reading
Late-night revelers in Naperville, IL, may leave their cars overnight without fear of a parking ticket. An ordinance allows overnight parking and gives the city an inexpensive way to make late-night visitors feel more welcome. Discussions began at a transportation workshop in December of 2009 when a council member suggested free overnight parking. "We acknowledged…Continue reading
Once used primarily in large cities, advanced location data is providing event planning and business recruitment insights to smaller downtowns such as Tybee Island, GA, and Chapel Hill, NC. The technology tracks mobile devices to monitor visitation patterns. Based on data from tracking company Placer.ai, downtown leaders in Chapel Hill, NC, know that 80 percent…Continue reading
