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
For nearly a decade, Gallup, NM (est. pop. 21,333), has been building an arts district. Now those efforts are being rewarded with solid results. Gallup’s ArtsCrawl events once drew hundreds; now thousands come out. Downtown vacancy rates are down, investment is up. And Gallup’s Coal Avenue Commons project won a Placemaking Award from the New…To read more — login/subscribe
Across the U.S., a small but growing number of cities is targeting a familiar symbol of suburban sprawl: the drive-through lane. Once considered a standard amenity for fast-food restaurants, banks, and pharmacies, drive-throughs are increasingly seen as obstacles to walkable downtowns, safer streets, and climate goals. In response, some municipalities now prohibit or limit new…To read more — login/subscribe
