Seeking to fill vacant commercial spaces as quickly as possible, the city commission in Miami Beach, FL (est. pop. 83,264), in February unanimously approved an ordinance that slashes red tape for restaurants and other tenants. “We’re temporarily deregulating and streamlining approvals to make it easier for live entertainment and quality restaurants to make a comeback…To read more — login/subscribe
This year, cities and towns across the United States are celebrating the 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the Declaration of Independence. There will be a yearlong series of events and activities including historical reenactments, parades, festivals, concerts, and educational exhibits. As the lead organizer for the event, America250 has set a goal of “350 by 250,”…To read more — login/subscribe
Ambassadors ensure participation in engagement efforts The goal of the Clarkston Greenway Feasibility Study was to develop new pathways connecting parks, green spaces, and popular destinations to make it easier for residents and visitors to move around the City of Clarkston, GA. One of the challenges facing the project team was ensuring input from the…To read more — login/subscribe
Jefferson, IA (est. pop. 4,164), might be a tiny town in a struggling rural region. Even so, it’s accomplishing big things. In one innovation, Jefferson Matters, the city’s nonprofit Main Street organization, has commissioned four rooftop murals with a fifth on the way. Why paint on rooftops in a downtown filled with two-story buildings? The…To read more — login/subscribe
Third Street Promenade digital display simulation. Struggling with a financial shortfall, the City Council in Santa Monica, CA (est. pop. 89,939), is taking dramatic action: It agreed to allow up to 16 digital billboards downtown. The signs could span 1,000 square feet each and remain in place for 30 years, Santa Monica Lookout reports.…To read more — login/subscribe
A safe streets project in Columbus, OH (est. pop. 909,074), shows how cities can reduce injuries and fatalities. In November 2024, the City of Columbus used Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding to install a demonstration project on a two-mile portion of East Broad Street. Broad Street is on the City’s Vision Zero…To read more — login/subscribe
Interest in staycations is on the rise in many areas of the country. A staycation is a vacation spent exploring a nearby city or region, rather than traveling farther away. Staycations can boost local economies, strengthen community ties, and foster support for unique local goods and services. The staycation trend, which first went mainstream during…To read more — login/subscribe
Drive through replaced with gathering space In the heart of Neenah, WI, an unused bank drive through is being converted into a new public space called, Alta Alley. The transformation is funded by a $33,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The project is a partnership between Alta Resources, the nonprofit Future Neenah, and…To read more — login/subscribe
