The typical facade improvement program just wouldn’t do in Rawlins, WY, where 62 of 95 downtown businesses, totaling 62,000 square feet of facades, are undergoing grant-funded improvements all at once. "We decided to try it a different way," says Pam Thayer, executive director of Rawlins Downtown Development Authority (DDA)/Main Street. Participating property owners signed easement…Continue reading
In Akron, OH, work is underway to redefine the footprint of the city’s many neighborhoods. "What we’re doing is looking atall of our city neighborhoods — Akron has 25 semi-official neighborhoods, with downtown being one of them," says Jason Segedy, the city’s director of planning and urban development. The project is essential, Segedy says, because…Continue reading
Downtown Boulder, Inc. has slowly amassed a collection of behind-the-scenes stories about local business owners that have become the core of a robust Shop Local campaign, and several themed breakout campaigns throughout the year."People are really interested in everyday people and fun questions, so we thought maybe that would work for our small business owners,…Continue reading
The Laneway Project in Toronto, ON, Canada, is an innovative urban design and planning organization working to change the way people view and use city center laneways, or alleys. The project brings together diverse stakeholders and establishes community stewards to ensure the ongoing success of individual projects. Re-positioning alleys as public space has many benefits…Continue reading
When the city of Durango, CO, realized that many businesses in its historic downtown buildings were not as accessible as they should be, municipal and downtown leaders took action."The approach we are trying to take is that good access is good business. Places that are accessible to people with disabilities are also more accessible to…Continue reading
A recent parking study in Turlock, CA, reveals that even though 50 percent of parking spaces are underutilized, 72 percent of residents believe there is a parking shortage downtown.To correct this misperception and better utilize the current parking supply, the study recommends focusing on more efficient parking management, including changing parking time limits, allocating staff…Continue reading
Large-scale light installations that blend contemporary art and technology are making their mark, lighting up the night from New Orleans and Baltimore to Sydney and London. Many of these free light festivals include interactive elements that turn spectators into participants who are able to change colors or patterns by moving or playing a game. The…Continue reading
When the University City District in Philadelphia wanted to convert surface parking to a place for pedestrians to sit, read, stroll, and otherwise enjoy the downtown, it started with data. Lots of data. Over time that data-driven approach has lead to The Porch at 30th Street Station becoming one of the most animated public spaces…Continue reading
The weeklong Dutch-themed Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI, has been going strong for 87 years.This year, the festival and its marketing materials were updated to reflect a full calendar of experiential activities. "People don’t want to be on the sidelines watching," says Susan Zalnis, the festival’s marketing/public relations director. "They want to jump in…Continue reading
The 47-mile Pinellas Trail, is connecting communities and boosting local economies along the west central coast of Florida. While some communities were hesitant to have the trail pass through their city centers, others saw opportunities and positioned themselves to become a vital part of the trail system, says Lynn Wargo, president of the Dunedin Chamber…Continue reading
