From wildfires to hurricanes to tornadoes, downtowns are feeling the effects of extreme weather events. Summer flooding in downtown Burlington, VT, and Montpelier, VT damaged many buildings and forced some businesses to close for weeks or months. "It’s a giant puzzle, but it’s solvable. It’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of…Continue reading
For a time, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership took an unusually active role in dealing with public safety issues in downtown Anchorage, AK. Issues that were too minor to merit a 911 call were handled by the ambassadors. Merchants, property owners, and residents reported such issues as disorderly behavior, graffiti, panhandling, public drinking and drug use,…Continue reading
When it comes to radically changing the downtown streetscape and creating compelling attractions, it doesn’t get much easier than inflatables. Turn-key event producers offer giant inflatable waterslides, obstacle courses, and even public art installations. In February, Osuna Park in Peoria, AZ, welcomed the illuminated inflatable "Light at Play: An Interactive Art Experience." The six-piece display…Continue reading
It’s natural for downtown leaders to celebrate new businesses. But experienced economic developers say you shouldn’t forget the businesses that have been downtown for years. These businesses embody the community’s character, create unique experiences, and serve as inspiration for other business owners. That’s the motivation behind a new wave of "legacy" business programs. In one…Continue reading
Restaurants and other food-based businesses can make a strong contribution to a downtown’s success. These critical assets attract and serve downtown residents, workers, visitors, and even culinary travelers. Downtown leaders have many opportunities to work with the restaurant community to promote downtown and ensure the longevity of these small businesses. For example, in Sioux Falls,…Continue reading
Reading, PA, hopes a big investment in electric vehicle charging stations can give its downtown a reboot. Downtown leaders in Hamilton, MT, see an EV charging station as a way to generate visits. The EV boom is in full swing, and downtowns across the country are trying to use it to their advantage. Earlier generations…Continue reading
Office conversions are having a moment — the topic is the subject of news stories, webinars, and conference sessions. With office space experiencing heightened levels of vacancy and housing units very much in demand, the concept of repurposing underused office space to in-demand residential space is a compelling one. But an office-to-residential conversion is not…Continue reading
The summer kicked off with record-breaking heat across much of the U.S. In the Southwest and South-east, the "feels-like" temperatures soared well above 100 degrees in July. For downtown leaders, the oppressive temperatures complicated plans for outdoor events — and they served as a reminder that cities need to start planning for intense heat. While…Continue reading
Empty store windows can sabotage a downtown’s best efforts to create a bustling, vibrant scene that encourages visitors to stay and spend. While vacant storefronts have long been the bane of small cities, the problem spread to larger cities during the pandemic. Downtown leaders can only do so much to combat the broad trends of…Continue reading
Workers in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, will plant thousands of flowers and shrubs along with hundreds of trees this year. "It’s incredibly important for a lot of reasons," says Melvin Eledge, director of operations at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. "We saw during the pandemic how important green spaces and beautiful places are to people. It…Continue reading
