The little city of Monroeville, AL, has a big reputation. After all, it’s the hometown of two famous authors — Truman Capote and Harper Lee, who set To Kill a Mockingbird in Monroeville. Alas, literary bona fides take a struggling town only so far. A textile mill that was an economic driver closed down, leading to an…Continue reading
The ribbon cutting and bridge-lighting ceremony in downtown Waterloo, IA, marked a new beginning for the city’s Fourth Street bridge. The Waterloo River Lights Experience brings a series of 30-minute light shows to the bridge and river below. The city says that the display serves as an economic development engine, a source of community advancement…Continue reading
In Gastonia, NC, and Wilson, NC, city officials grew frustrated by the lack of passengers on their public bus networks. In response, both cities opted to end their bus services and replace them with Uber-like on-demand services. Wilson did so first, in 2022. The city replaced public buses with a rideshare service that lets riders…Continue reading
In Columbus, GA, the city’s greatest natural asset had been turned into an eyesore. In the 1800s, textile mills dammed the Chattahoochee River as a power source. A century and a half later, the textile industry was long gone — and the river languished as an industrial wasteland. But downtown leaders, including the Uptown Columbus…Continue reading
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
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
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
Amid another sweltering summer, downtown leaders are wondering how they can create some relief for downtown visitors. One solution is to look to the past when colorful awnings shaded both storefronts and pedestrians. Among other benefits, awnings or canopies create an inviting space in front of a downtown building. They provides shade, shelter, and a…Continue reading
For many downtowns, post-pandemic summertime schedules are filling up with outdoor busker festivals. The events feature a variety of performers — musicians, magicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, acrobats, and specialty cyclists among others. They hold strong appeal for audiences — there’s no cover charge, the entertainment options are broad, and tipping is optional. The August issue…Continue reading
The good news for America’s downtowns is that the U.S. economy has made a robust recovery from the pandemic. People are traveling, dining out, shopping, and otherwise going about their daily lives. The bad news? Downtown streets are once again overwhelmed with delivery trucks, rideshare vehicles, and side hustlers dropping off meals and groceries. The…Continue reading
