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Spring Construction Season Gets a Little More Colorful with Public Art

July 19, 2018
Two blocks in downtown Iowa City, IA, were under construction this spring and summer as the city worked to upgrade underground utilities; increase the width of sidewalks; distribute parking on both sides of the street; enhance accessibility; create healthier planting areas; and modernize lighting, seating, and other amenities. To reassure shoppers that the area is…Continue reading

 

Art Program Activates Vacant Storefront Windows, Helps Lease Space

June 21, 2018
What began as a grassroots initiative pairing vacant storefronts with public art in one Minneapolis, MN, neighborhood has grown into an "urban walking gallery" enlivening key commercial corridors in the city center and beyond, and incorporating live performances, artists markets, and pop-up galleries. The Made Here program aims to highlight local artists, give residents and…Continue reading

 

Housing Program Draws Residents and Workforce to City Center

May 24, 2018
The Live it Up Wausau program in Wausau, WI, seeks to attract employees to the area and give them reasons to stay. "This fits under a broad heading of employee-assisted housing or economic development homesteading," says Christian Schock, the city’s director of planning, community, and economic development. "These are programs that help employees become more…Continue reading

 

Children’s Programming Draws Families Downtown

April 26, 2018
Because little people usually require big people to drive them, supervise them, and pay their way, children’s events are a popular way to bring families downtown. Cities nationwide are adding an array of children’s programming to downtown calendars in an effort to attract those families. Some efforts include folding children’s activities into existing events, while…Continue reading

 

Grant Funding and Event Planning Guide Foster Inaugural Events

April 12, 2018
The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) has offered its Start-Up Grant program since 2013 to encourage first-time events in Rochester, MN. Initially, the program offered up to $1,000 to applicants hosting first-time events downtown. "Five years later, the RDA is now able to offer up to $3,000 for approved events," says Karli McElroy, RDA’s program manager.…Continue reading

 

Retail Corridor Re-Imagined as Active American Woonerf

March 15, 2018
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 Make Older Buildings More Appealing to New Tenants

March 2, 2018
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