First it was food trucks adding vitality to city centers, and now fashion trucks are making their way downtown. From Fashion Truck Fridays hosted by the Rosslyn BID in Arlington, VA, to the weekly rotating fashion trucks in Houston, TX, these small, mobile shops are drawing the curious, as well as serious shoppers. In Denver,…Continue reading
Several cities nationwide are testing solar-powered products that provide free Wi-Fi and smartphone charging stations while simultaneously gathering pedestrian activity and traffic pattern data. In Oak Park, IL, the first Soofa Core unit was installed in a city park last August, closely followed by units in three other urban parks. The device, located adjacent to…Continue reading
With the closure of a main thoroughfare looming in traffic-clogged Seattle, WA, the Downtown Seattle Association launched a campaign aimed at turning traffic jams into an opportunity to miss the rush and enjoy the evening in the city center instead. The #WhyRushHour campaign allowed the Association to highlight two urban parks it manages and fills…Continue reading
Spaces which allow people with common interests to share ideas, equipment, and knowledge are becoming part of the urban fabric in many communities. Makerspaces provide individual work space, meeting space, networking opportunities, and equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, milling devices, and other items that individual entrepreneurs might not be able to afford on…Continue reading
The availability of paint that shows up only when it’s wet has inspired whimsical, low-cost "invisible art" projects on sidewalks nationwide. Each project takes a slightly different approach. Seattle’s invisible art is humorous, while Huntsville, AL, aims to bring literature to the public art scene. "We wanted it to be something unexpected that community members…Continue reading
As roadway and bridge improvements are made along a busy downtown corridor in Rosslyn, VA, city officials are using development funds to add lighted public art that will span the length of the main street and create striking gateways. The sculptures are giant, stainless steel structures with environmentally friendly lights, which can be programmed to…Continue reading
A creative new marketing campaign is bringing residents, employees, and visitors to York, PA. The effort includes recruitment materials, a revamped website, and guided tours. The recruitment packet was created for use by local employers. It highlights all the benefits of living in York, and includes a full-color magazine, a USB bracelet loaded with information…Continue reading
Since its creation, the Gateway Mile Loan Fund in Elkhart, IN, has helped finance both interior and exterior renovations of downtown buildings, and allowed new businesses to open. "What I think is unique about the program is that it is not funded by public dollars," says Burt Troyer, who administers the fund. "This is all…Continue reading
The annual Downtown Lifestyle Tour in Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 106,476), has been offered for the past five years. The goal is to, "introduce people to the unique housing options that downtown offers and to promote how great it can be to live here," says Wilmington Downtown, Inc. The tour is one effort within the…Continue reading
In an effort to fill vacant downtown space, the Downtown Memphis Commission took the contrarian approach of eliminating some traditional incentives for new businesses.Leslie Gower, vice president of marketing and communications explains in the February issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. "We worked with our broker community regarding trends, and what they are hearing in terms…Continue reading
