Downtown organizations of all types are successfully supporting their work with grants from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as corporate, private, family, and community foundations. A 2010 survey of Downtown Idea Exchange readers found that 30 percent of respondents took advantage of government grants, while another 23 percent took advantage of foundation or…To read more — login/subscribe
Scavenger hunt blends old and new Photo scavenger hunts exploded in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hunts provided a reason to go downtown, explore, and discover while safely distancing outdoors. But photo scavenger hunts were a downtown marketing staple long before lock-downs began. For example, in the early teens, history buffs and downtown fans…To read more — login/subscribe
The Downtown Plainfield logo is easily adapted to street poles and other uses. In Plainfield, NJ (est. pop. 54,515), the downtown organization has been reimagining its name, its image, and its mission. In a move aimed to make the group’s role clearer to the public, the Plainfield Special Improvement District renamed itself Downtown Plainfield. And…To read more — login/subscribe
Unused corner store in Louisville, KY. In modern America, buying groceries and other everyday items all but requires a trip to a big-box store. But a century ago, urban neighborhoods were filled with corner stores within walking distance of residents. Planners in cities such as Louisville, KY (est. pop. 622,981), Seattle, WA (est. pop. 755,078),…To read more — login/subscribe
Street signs in Billings, MT, guide drivers. In theory, back-in angled parking is a safer way to park. Motorists are able to pull straight out of their spots while looking out at traffic, lessening the chances of hitting a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle. In practice, though, back-in angle parking is just annoying to many…To read more — login/subscribe
Simple set-up for Louisville Downtown Pickleball Street Fest. Pickleball, that racquet sport once favored by retirees in the Sun Belt, has gone mainstream. Now, the sport is played by people of all ages. And competitions air on ESPN. Downtown leaders know a good trend when they see one, and they’re embracing it. In Louisville, KY…To read more — login/subscribe
The upscale Slipaway Food Truck & Marina. Across the country, downtowns in small and mid-sized cities are setting up dedicated spaces for food trucks to operate. The initiatives typically are spearheaded by private operators, with city officials figuring out how to straddle an obvious paradox — food trucks are mobile and temporary, while food truck…To read more — login/subscribe
Traditional economic development strategies focus on wooing corporations: the larger the better. But it makes more sense to focus on homegrown businesses, says Matthew Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at the National Main Street Center. “It’s really about shifting our economic development focus to one of cultivating human capital rather than business recruitment,” Wagner…To read more — login/subscribe
Stephen Reeve runs New York Café in Ketchikan, Alaska — the state’s longest operating restaurant. It was built more than 120 years ago by adventurer Tony Ohashi. This legacy business received funds from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program in 2024. Grant funds were used to restore the restaurant’s facade and document its 120…To read more — login/subscribe
