The Downtown Denver Development Authority is making a big bet on an ambitious plan to turn vacant office buildings into bustling residential towers. In March, the quasi-governmental entity approved a $63 million loan for transforming two downtown properties into apartments. It's the largest loan ever issued by the Denver Downtown Development Authority. The DDA is taking…To read more — login/subscribe
Eleven major cities in the United States are hosting FIFA World Cup matches during June and July, and downtown leaders are taking advantage of the excitement from both locals and waves of free-spending visitors. Los Angeles, for instance, is operating 10 localized Fan Zones, including massive events at Union Station and a tournament-ending block party…To read more — login/subscribe
Each spring, four sculptors from around the world arrive in Nashua, NH (est. pop. 91,850), to create four pieces of public art. In 2025, sculptors from France, Germany, South Korea, and the United States arrived at the Picker Artists studio building, where they set up shop outside and chipped away at big blocks of marble.…To read more — login/subscribe
To encourage local groups to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime event, the Newark Downtown Alliance created a community engagement toolkit for the 2026 World Cup. The toolkit includes simple ways to tap into the "global energy" of the tournament. But these ideas will also help downtown leaders tap into local, regional, and national events…To read more — login/subscribe
Greensboro, NC (est. pop. 307,372), has launched RISE Infill, a loan program that partners with private lenders to redevelop underused commercial properties, renovate vacant or aging buildings, and invest in mixed-use projects. Launched in May 2026, RISE Infill is the first initiative associated with the city's broader RISE framework, intended to coordinate economic development tools and initiatives. "Redevelopment…To read more — login/subscribe
Holiday activities transform commercial districts into vibrant destinations, encouraging residents to shop, dine, and spend locally. Some of the most important elements in a holiday celebration are festive decorations, enticing shop windows, and a wide range of unique and tempting gifts. Here's how a range of downtowns are making the season special. Trees Decorations are…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown glow up reduces summertime heat Downtown Houston hopes that its World Cup preparations have a lasting impact on the city and the downtown. One of many projects is the development of the Main Street promenade, a $17 million project led by Downtown Houston+ that transformed seven blocks of Main Street into a vehicle-free corridor.…To read more — login/subscribe
In suburbs around the country, data centers have become a point of contention. But for downtown leaders struggling to fill empty buildings, they could be a welcome source of new tenants. One headline-grabbing example came from downtown Minneapolis (est. pop. 428,572), where the Sleep Number headquarters earlier this year was sold for $235 million, the…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders in Sterling, IL (est. pop. 14,717), thought a retail incubator could breathe life into downtown by giving small-scale makers a place to prove their business concepts. The incubator project has accomplished that, but the initiative gained traction only after plenty of hard work and a false start or two, says Janna Groharing, executive…To read more — login/subscribe
