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Helping the Public Enjoy Public Art

July 14, 2016
Nearly 90 pieces of art grace the parks, plazas, and other public spaces in downtown Des Moines, IA. But drawing people through the downtown to see them has been a challenge.Now, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is working to bring all of the art together by creating a 6.6-mile trail. Sidewalks along the…Continue reading

 

Relaxing Downtown’s Open Container Laws

June 30, 2016
Downtown leaders nationwide are exploring the option of allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated districts, or at specific events and the results are largely positive.Alpharetta, GA, passed an ordinance in 2011 allowing one drink per person in a plastic or paper cup of no more than 16 ounces, purchased from a restaurant, to be…Continue reading

 

Nurturing New Businesses with an Incubator

May 5, 2016
Providing incubator space for start-up businesses is a trend that will grow stronger as those first start-ups attain independence and fill downtown vacancies, says Michael Burayidi, in an article in the May issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Burayidi, chair of the Ball State University Department of Urban Planning, notes that, "What will help in…Continue reading

 

Marketing Materials and Events Encourage Development

April 21, 2016
The city of Hamilton, OH, has launched several efforts in recent years to attract developers downtown. "We needed to ensure that our progress was communicated to as many people as possible to change the perception Hamilton struggled with," says Jody Gunderson, the city’s director of economic development.The marketing program includes: A quarterly e-newsletter highlights new…Continue reading

 

City Identifies Roadblocks to Redevelopment

April 8, 2016
Downtown professionals and city leaders discouraged with lackluster RFP responses or development agreements, which have fallen through can look to Palatka, FL, for inspiration. The city’s riverfront park and marina redevelopment plan was completed in 2004, but never adopted. Municipal officials hoped the downtown waterfront location of two blocks adjacent to a city park would…Continue reading

 

Social Media “Ambassadors” Promote Downtown

March 24, 2016
The #SeizeDesMoines Share Des Moines program allows the Greater Des Moines Partnership to recruit Social Ambassadors to help share the latest news in economic development, downtown events, and quality of life via social media.To sign up, new ambassadors simply visit www.seizedesmoines.com and click on Share Des Moines. The Partnership makes sharing easy by sending out email…Continue reading