In recent years, Elizabeth Cook noticed that building owners in Charles Town, WV (est. pop. 6,373), stopped applying for the city’s façade improvement grants. The problem? Every building owner who needed a grant had already gotten one. So Cook, downtown coordinator at Charles Town Now, came up with a plan to transition the program to…To read more — login/subscribe
A new parking program has debuted in downtown Salisbury, NC (est. pop. 33,961), one that lets downtown residents and workers lease spaces for $35 a month or $420 a year. The city’s Downtown Development Department set aside 30 downtown spaces for motorists who want to pay for parking. “We wanted to start with something manageable…To read more — login/subscribe
Seen from the sidewalk, most American downtowns appear to be doing well. Maybe not every storefront is full, but there’s enough activity to create vibrancy and interest. But take a look up, and the story is different. Most upper-story space sits empty and unused. The Institute for Policy Research & Engagement at the University of…To read more — login/subscribe
After a two-year renovation that cost $33 million, the library in downtown Spokane, WA (est. pop. 229,065), reopened in a reimagined format. No longer a warehouse for books, the library features a number of new amenities, including study rooms, recording facilities, and art studios open to the community. There’s also a business incubator and a…To read more — login/subscribe
Eye-catching murals draw attention to garage A public art project is bringing new life to the Midtown Parking Deck in downtown Lynchburg, VA. Each of the four floors boasts a unique design ranging from geometric to floral patterns. The lively new look was created to beautify and to dispel some misconceptions about downtown parking. Susan…To read more — login/subscribe
A decade ago, the downtown organization in Sioux Falls, SD (est. pop. 196,528), was looking for a way to boost business during January. Downtown Sioux Falls decided to try Burger Battle, a month-long contest that pitted downtown restaurants in a competition to create the best new burger. Participating eateries debuted a new burger, and diners…To read more — login/subscribe
Miami is in the midst of transforming unused space beneath the Metrorail tracks into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and exhibit space for public art. The idea was generated not by urban planners or elected officials, but by a Miami resident who calls herself “a crazy citizen.” Meg Daly has often repeated the story…To read more — login/subscribe
Crime is on the upswing in downtowns. Meanwhile, crime-fighting technology is growing more powerful and more widely accepted. Those two trends are intersecting in a growing use of license plate readers, or LPRs. The devices can be mounted on utility poles, streetlights, and public vehicles. In Indianapolis, city police are expanding their use of LPRs.…To read more — login/subscribe
