Downtown Idea Exchange

Each month downtown leaders turn to Downtown Idea Exchange for practical news reports, how-to information, and hundreds of real-world examples of how downtowns are growing and prospering.

 


Downtowns partner with universities to drive traffic, activation

April 1, 2024
In a handful of downtowns, such as Berkeley, CA, and Charlottesville, VA, college campuses and downtowns have grown up together over a period of decades. But most downtowns have to work to bring in college campuses and their steady streams of students. Sometimes, the strategy works — expanding colleges can help fill downtown vacancies while…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Idea Exchange

April 1, 2024
Food tourism continues to grow Traveling to a destination specifically for its food and beverages is on the rise. The World Food Travel Association defines food tourism as “Traveling for a taste of place to get a sense of place.”  In 2019, the global culinary tourism market was valued at $1.1 billion and is projected…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Downtown Idea Exchange, April 2024

April 1, 2024
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Umbrella sharing encourages visitors to linger longer

March 1, 2024
Both Vancouver, BC (est. pop. 2,683,000), and Vancouver, WA (est. pop. 194,509), are known for their rainy weather. And both downtowns have unveiled umbrella share programs for visitors and residents who find themselves caught in the rain. In Vancouver, WA, Vancouver’s Downtown Association has operated the Umbrella Share Program for two years, says Michael Walker,…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Program offers incentives to lure new office tenants downtown

March 1, 2024
Downtown Louisville, KY (est. pop. 628,594), is struggling with a familiar problem — work-from-home trends mean fewer workers are commuting to offices. To fight back, the city has unveiled a new incentive program to entice large office users to relocate or expand in the district. Downtown’s vacancy rate has jumped from about 12 percent before…To read more — login/subscribe