Downtown Idea Exchange

Electric scooters have become an important transit option in many downtowns. But the vehicles aren’t without their detractors, acknowledges Jenni Morejon, president and chief executive officer of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority in Fort Lauderdale, FL (est. pop. 181,818). “There’s going to be, unfortunately, scooter haters,” Morejon says. “Convening a community conversation is really…To read more — login/subscribe

 

In 2020, a catastrophic windstorm ripped through Cedar Rapids, IA (est. pop. 133,125). In addition to several deaths and billions of dollars in property damage, the storm destroyed more than half of Cedar Rapids’ tree canopy. Landscape architect Patrick Alvord says the storm destroyed 670,000 trees, a toll he calls “likely the greatest single urban…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Downtowns everywhere struggle with white elephants — prominent eyesores in need of refurbishment. Usually, the cost of a rehab is prohibitive. In Cape Girardeau, MO (est. pop. 40,100), the old Marquette and H&H buildings stood as constant reminders that downtown had seen better days. The Marquette Hotel was built in the 1920s. The H&H Building…To read more — login/subscribe

 

A bourbon-producing region of Kentucky recently launched a new marketing, advertising, and public relations campaign focused on attracting travelers, and downtown leaders already report an uptick in traffic as a result. The campaign, ShelbyKY — Your Bourbon Destination, is designed to encourage travelers seeking out bourbon experiences to visit distilleries in Shelby County, to tour…To read more — login/subscribe

 

• Festivals use cross-promotion to broaden reach
• HUD 108 loans offer attractive financing for downtown development
• Mass shooting spurs added attempts to make downtown safe
• Farmers markets benefit downtowns of all sizes
• Scooter proponent shares lessons learned 
• City develops process, guidelines for building tree canopy
• After years of disuse, office building is converted to hotel 
• Downtown aims to attract visitors to Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Idea Exchange: Quick Tips and News from Around the Country

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The city center in Kansas City, MO (est. pop. 491,158), has experienced “vast improvements” over the past two decades, says Bill Dietrich, president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Council of Kansas City. In an attempt to build on that momentum, Dietrich spearheaded a sweeping proposal that calls for even more changes in the…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Downtowns nationwide have embraced outdoor consumption of alcohol. In Ohio, for example, dozens of municipalities have legalized public drinking at designated places and during certain times. In North Carolina, downtowns likewise have begun to accept the concept. But in Wisconsin, the idea of designated outdoor refreshment areas, or DORAs, has met local resistance. In late…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Historic buildings enhance the charm of any downtown. They create an undeniable sense of place. But maintaining, restoring, and reusing historic structures can be an expensive and complicated undertaking. To help with the challenges of historic preservation, there’s an array of funding sources, partnerships, and tax credits available to property owners and downtown leaders. The…To read more — login/subscribe

 

By ushering in a new age of public meetings on Zoom, some predicted, the coronavirus pandemic was poised to intensify public engagement in downtown planning. Instead, researchers report, the opposite happened: If anything, public discourse grew more passive. That’s the conclusion of three academics who interviewed municipal planners about how the pandemic has affected discourse…To read more — login/subscribe