Kaid Benfield, senior counsel at PlaceMakers and author of People Habitat, has spent a career thinking about what makes downtowns thrive. On his blog, Benfield lays out these key elements for a main street that attracts bustling foot traffic and boasts a healthy tenant mix: A superior pedestrian experience. “Main Streets are for walking, browsing,…To read more — login/subscribe
Americans are embracing electric vehicles, but public charging networks haven’t kept pace with the interest from motorists. This is true in downtowns nationwide — some have built robust charging networks, but many are trying to catch up. If you’re looking for funding for EV charging stations, here’s a bit of good news: The Bipartisan Infrastructure…To read more — login/subscribe
Amid another sweltering summer, downtown leaders are wondering how they can create some relief for downtown visitors. One solution is to look to the past when colorful awnings shaded both storefronts and pedestrians. The National Park Service says that owners of historic buildings are rediscovering awnings. “Local main street preservation programs encouraging — and in…To read more — login/subscribe
In Chicago, a group known as The Divvy Fishers Society has been retrieving discarded bike-share cycles from the chilly waters of Lake Michigan. The teams of volunteers use ropes and carabiners to drag Divvy bikes from the lake, reports BlockClubChicago. Bike sharing has emerged as a popular micromobility option in downtowns worldwide. But a number…To read more — login/subscribe
Start planning for cookie season Downtowns across the nation will welcome cookie sellers to their streets in February. Since 1917 Girl Scouts have been selling the seasonal treats in January through April. Cookie booths are typically set up on sidewalks, in building lobbies, and in retail locations. For example, Sommerville, NJ, hosts scouts at Starbucks,…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, urban planners have criticized one-way streets. The traffic flow is unsafe for pedestrians and unhelpful to merchants, they say. The critique is beginning to resonate — a growing number of cities are rethinking their traffic patterns. Atlanta, GA, Louisville, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, are among the cities converting one-way streets to two-way travel.…To read more — login/subscribe
Every downtown is trying to attract visitors and showcase the shops, restaurants, museums, and other public places that make them unique. While paper maps and wayfinding signs are tried-and-true ways to guide visitors, residents, and workers, many downtowns have embraced a new tool — interactive maps that let downtown leaders tell their story via mobile…To read more — login/subscribe
When it comes to bike lanes, U.S. cities are known to be well behind their peers in Europe and Canada. But that’s changing, according to the advocacy group People for Bikes. More protected bike lanes and safety-minded bike networks are being built than ever before, the group says. In hopes of inspiring other downtowns to…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to revive a stagnant urban core, Chicago is being especially generous in providing public subsidies to convert obsolete office space into apartments and hotels. In one major initiative, Mayor Brandon Johnson is supporting a plan to convert vacant office space in the financial district to 1,000 apartments, partly using city subsidies. The…To read more — login/subscribe
