Cities across the U.S. have been investing in streetcars. But in Omaha, NE (est. pop. 487,299), the city’s most famous resident says the city’s downtown streetcar project is a boondoggle. “Residents can be far better served by extended or more intensive service by the bus system,” billionaire Warren Buffett wrote in a letter to the editor…To read more — login/subscribe
Two years after the publication of her book Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing, author Ilana Preuss says she continues to hear from downtown leaders interested in cultivating their own cadre of makers and artisans. Downtown Idea Exchange spoke to Preuss in 2021 for the article Wooing small-scale manufacturers. Since…To read more — login/subscribe
For over twenty years, American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) has worked to develop strong local economies by nurturing entrepreneurs and increasing local spending. The nonprofit may be best known for its series of shop local campaigns including Shop Black Owned Indie Local (February), Move Your Money/Bank Local (April), Independents Month (July), Eat Indie Local (August-September),…To read more — login/subscribe
Amid a wave of mass shootings nationally, downtowns have been the locations of a number of unfortunate incidents. On New Year’s Eve 2022, one person was killed and nine were injured during a mass shooting during a concert in downtown Mobile, AL. Earlier in the year, seven people were injured in a shooting in downtown…To read more — login/subscribe
Art carts showcase artists’ work, enliven downtown Art on the Town was created to help artists in Lexington, KY, show and sell their work. The program features eight mobile carts that are available seven days a week at no cost to artists. “The carts are mobile and can move around within several block areas of…To read more — login/subscribe
When it comes to business signage, many commercial areas are a free-for-all of ads of all shapes, sizes, and colors. If your downtown could be described as an “ugly, cluttered, sign-overloaded district,” it’s time to clean up, says Ed McMahon, chairman emeritus of Main Street America and a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute.…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders in West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 117,253), plan to unveil an unusual public art project in March. Dubbed Trojan Rocking Horses, the installation consists of eight life-sized rocking horses, each custom-designed by local children during design workshops. The horses were then produced locally under the guidance of a Finnish artist and architect.…To read more — login/subscribe
Outdoor artisan markets are gaining momentum in downtowns nationally, for a good reason. These events forge community connections and boost local economic development. The most dynamic and interactive markets serve as creative placemakers, says brand strategist Tracy Gravante, co-founder of Main Street Pops. A twist on farmers markets, artisan markets attract both local residents and…To read more — login/subscribe
Even before the pandemic, owners of aging office buildings were struggling to lure tenants and bolster rental rates. When the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a glut of office space and a shortage of housing, that trend accelerated. Now, downtowns across the country are seeing older office buildings convert to residential space — a welcome trend for…To read more — login/subscribe
