In April 2024, the economic development department in Surprise, AZ (est. pop. 167,569), put out a spoof video calling for Whole Foods Market to open a location inthe city. The #KaleEmergency spot, posted on April Fool's Day, proved so unique that it won an honor in the annual Excellence Awards from the International EconomicDevelopment Council.…To read more — login/subscribe
Public parking might be one of the toughest topics downtown leaders deal with, says Roger Brooks of Destination Development. "After doing this for 40 years, I don't think I've ever found a more divisive topic," he says. Brooks pushes back against the insistence from merchants and motorists that on-street parking should be free. After all,…To read more — login/subscribe
Puyallup, WA (est. pop. 42,746), is converting an underused downtown thoroughfare into a "festival street." The street will be redesigned to enhance pedestrian safety, improve accessibility, and create a flexible space that can be temporarily closed for special events and activities. Like many festival streets, it will have a curbless design incorporating decorative pavement, street…To read more — login/subscribe
Self-guided tours can be a powerful, low-cost, and long-lasting way to get more feet on the street downtown. From food trails to art walks, they encourage exploration, support local businesses, and help visitors and residents see the city center in a new way. Digital passports, stamp cards, or app-based check-ins turn these trails into fun…To read more — login/subscribe
Mom and Pop Czar One of the largest cities in the world is focusing on small businesses. New York City created the position of Mom and Pop Czar in April. The goal is to help small businesses navigate city government and get the support they need not only to stay open, but also to grow.…To read more — login/subscribe
Instead of tearing down a vacant building for parking, this downtown scores a redevelopment win. A 1905 building in downtown Ripon, WI (est. pop. 7,772), was set to be torn down and replaced with a parking lot. The historic space had been empty for years, and the building was problematic because of a mold infestation…To read more — login/subscribe
A 90-foot mural spans the library’s facade in downtown Worcester, MA. In Worcester, MA (est. pop. 211,289), public art installations have reshaped downtown. One example is hard to miss — it’s a massive mural decorating the library building. The others are much smaller — they’re colorful additions to Worcester’s stormwater drainage system. They urge residents…To read more — login/subscribe
A decade ago, downtown Wytheville, VA (est. pop. 8,202), was struggling. Vacancies were 42 percent in 2014. However, Wytheville has embarked on a remarkable turnaround. Vacancy is just 4 percent now, and the town was named one of the nation’s three Great American Main Street Awards honorees for 2026. “Downtown Wytheville exemplifies the power of…To read more — login/subscribe
