Sculpture will bring “Moments of Joy” to 16th Street visitors. For downtown leaders in Denver, CO (est. pop. 716,577), a major revamp of the mile-long 16th Street Mall has been a long journey. First, city officials and downtown leaders had to convince voters to sign off on the costly improvements. Voters approved the project in…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe tracks business support. Perhaps no downtown has been hit as hard by the fentanyl crisis and other social ills as Portland, OR (est. pop. 630,395). Amid a statewide decriminalization of hard drugs, downtown Portland was inundated with tent cities and overdose deaths — and visitors stayed away. However, Oregon has…To read more — login/subscribe
As Houston, TX (est. pop. 2.3 million), prepares to host World Cup matches in 2026, downtown leaders aim to renovate a seven-block stretch of Main Street. The area is slated to be transformed into a pedestrian-only walkway, with extended space for shops and eateries. The Main Street Promenade project has been led by Downtown Houston+,…To read more — login/subscribe
As record temperatures gripped the nation this summer, downtown leaders looked to increase shade, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality by expanding the tree canopy. But there are additional benefits, says Chelsea Craig chair of the Morenci, MI, Downtown Development Authority. By creating a green and vibrant environment, the DDA aims to increase foot…To read more — login/subscribe
Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving local problems. They are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving conditions in a defined geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. When the goals of downtown organizations and foundations align,…To read more — login/subscribe
New LED streetlight program The city of Ann Arbor, MI, is embarking on an ambitious LED streetlight program aimed at reducing lighting costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative, which has already shown promising results, is significantly supported by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA). The program began with a successful pilot project which…To read more — login/subscribe
During the pandemic, Seattle’s downtown leaders fretted that media coverage about the district often focused on closed businesses, empty streets, and other reflections of a lagging recovery. The Downtown Seattle Association decided to push back by taking matters into its own hands: Downtown leaders created their own podcast. The twice-monthly Seattle City Makers Podcast presents…To read more — login/subscribe
e-bikes, scooters, and more share bike lanes. Bike lanes aren’t just for bikes any more, a reality that’s creating congestion for now — but the conflict could spur a reshaping of downtown streetscapes. “The bike lane is set to become a very crowded place,” Dan Piatkowski wrote in a recent column for US News and…To read more — login/subscribe
