When the pandemic began, office landlord Larry Feldman acknowledged he was “curled up in a fetal position.” Feldman, chief executive officer of Feldman Equities, owns downtown office buildings in Florida, and he worried that leasing activity was going into a long hibernation. After all, an exodus from dense downtowns was the theme of the day.…To read more — login/subscribe
Bike patrols increase In April the Philadelphia Center City District (CCD) announced that it would expand its downtown bike patrol program. Bike patrols have been operating in the city center since late 2020 as part of a larger citywide initiative focused on public safety. The patrols operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven day…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, a former furniture store and warehouse in downtown Swainsboro, GA (est. pop. 7,396), sat empty. Now it’s a thriving hub that’s home to an antique mall and a gallery featuring local artists. Swainsboro’s project won praise for activating a long-vacant space. The turnaround was spurred when the city bought the property and completed…To read more — login/subscribe
In downtown Napa, CA (est. pop. 78,294), wayfinding signs are fading and more than two decades old. “They have patched-over fonts, different colors, and incorrect information,” Economic Development Manager Neal Harrison told the city council, according to the Napa Valley Register. “A good example of that is the visitor center moved from Main Street to…To read more — login/subscribe
In Avon, IL (est. pop. 614), one couple has invested their life savings in the once-moribund Main Street. In Havana, IL (est. pop. 3,197), a public investment has spurred a spate of new life projects in a downtown that had been fading fast. The two comeback stories are part of a nationwide revival of downtowns…To read more — login/subscribe
Many downtowns offer gift certificates or custom currency that can be redeemed with local eateries and merchants. The offerings are typically limited to a handful of locally owned cafés, restaurants, and gift shops. But in Thomasville, GA (est. pop. 18,539), Downtown Dollars are so widely used that a consumer might be able to survive on…To read more — login/subscribe
When new bike share stations were installed in downtown West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 109,767), they were located directly on city sidewalks. It’s an option that’s feasible so long as certain guidelines are met. The National Association of City Transportation Officials says cities often put bike stations on sidewalks if road space is unavailable,…To read more — login/subscribe
San Diego’s North Park neighborhood was built in the 1920s. In the 2020s, it’s turning into a hub for high-end food, microbrews, and other hallmarks of urban affluence. The Urban Land Institute calls the neighborhood the “Brooklyn of San Diego.” The commercial district is filled with yoga studios and fitness centers. There’s an independent bookstore,…To read more — login/subscribe
