That’s the theory behind the Eagle River Valley Cultural & Economic Corridor, now in its third year. The Corridor comprises the neighboring towns of Hancock (est. pop. 1,031), Deposit (est. pop. 1,663), and Windsor (est. pop. 916), New York and focuses on attracting tourists, businesses and residents, specifically retirees. This is an attractive demographic for…Continue reading
Bridal shows have long appeared on downtown event calendars. Increasingly, however, downtown organizations are moving guests from place to place rather than bringing them together under one roof. Wedding walks and tours highlight city centers as wedding destinations while showcasing a wide variety of downtown businesses, including hotels, event venues, florists, photographers, printers, caterers and…Continue reading
The paths to walkability are as diverse as the cities that implement them, and include upgrades to alleyways that provide additional pedestrian connectivity, pedestrian-friendly sidewalk design, centering development around public transit, and more. One community that has made great strides in enhancing walkability is Bethesda, MD. The work extended to downtown alleyways, some of which…Continue reading
Just as downtown businesses are realizing that advertising the downtown as a whole benefits individual businesses, whole communities are reaping the benefits of a more regional approach to marketing. "We know that people travel from place to place and town to town and don’t necessarily travel by county or state lines,” says Lisa Challenger, director…Continue reading
Increases in new customers, rental incomes, and property values were seen in a recent study of the impact of facade improvement programs. To help downtown professionals better determine the ROI of these types of improvements, a team at the University of Wisconsin-Extension examined the impacts of storefront improvements over the past 15 years. “The intent…Continue reading
To overcome negative perceptions that might discourage new residents, the city of Dundalk, MD, launched a branding campaign backed by an ambitious public engagement process, and featuring a new website, media partnerships, public events, incentives for home purchases, and more. Central to the program was a housing and neighborhood tour hosted by the Dundalk Renaissance…Continue reading
The January issue of Downtown Idea Exchange looks ahead to some of the challenges and opportunities that face downtown leaders in 2015. One of many important trends is an influx of millennials and baby boomers seeking urban living. This group is creating the most demand for downtown housing, as well as specific types of amenities,…Continue reading
The January issue takes a look back at marketing and attraction activities that will set the direction for the year to come. One of many trends is an increase in alcohol-friendly downtown events and activities. An increasing interest in wine and locally brewed beer is bringing success to brew festivals, pub crawls, wine walks, and…Continue reading
With the downtown an economically stable commercial center, but, “totally dull,” the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in Pittsburgh, PA, created a new grant program in 2007 to encourage restaurateurs to bring new vitality to city streets by moving their restaurants outdoors. The program offers a 50-percent matching grant of up to $30,000 ($60,000 for corner properties).…Continue reading
Hosting one of the popular themed runs (zombies, color, Santa, etc.) draws a different crowd than a typical run, and must be organized and marketed differently. The theme is a successful gimmick to attract participants, says Bryan Ganek of Adrenaline Sports Management. “It’s a race, yes, but we are creating an atmosphere of fun, that…Continue reading
