In Iowa City, IA (est. pop. 75,231), the Iowa City Downtown District is testing novel ways to serve existing merchants and recruit new ones. In one successful strategy, the Downtown District runs its own delivery service. It leases a vehicle and pays a driver, and deliveries are free from downtown merchants to customers within a…To read more — login/subscribe
As of December, Panama City, FL (est. pop. 34,521), allows visitors to consume alcohol two days a week while strolling through the Downtown Panama City Social District. In November, Panama City commissioners approved the district, which lets people openly carry and consume adult beverages. In a win for day drinking, the rules apply from 10…To read more — login/subscribe
Bike share, e-scooters, and other micromobility vehicles are exploding in popularity across North America — some 130 million trips on micromobility systems were recorded in the U.S. and Canada in 2022, according to a new analysis by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). NACTO’s 2022 Shared Micro Mobility in the U.S. and Canada…To read more — login/subscribe
More than a century ago, merchants and downtown building owners used ads painted on the sides of brick buildings to drive business. From the mid-1800s until about 1950, retailers and consumer brands used these commercial messages to grab shoppers’ attention. The eye-catching signs featured bright colors and bold lettering. The sign-painting boom ended decades ago.…To read more — login/subscribe
“Confronting our most pressing challenges requires the hope and fortitude of an entire community,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek when announcing the recommendations of the Portland Central City Task Force in December. The recommendations focused on addressing crime, homelessness, trash, and tax issues that create barriers to doing business in Portland. The task force brings…To read more — login/subscribe
In late 2023, Austin, TX (est. pop. 975,335), became the largest U.S. city to end parking requirements for new developments. During a nationwide housing shortage, proponents of eliminating parking requirements say the strategy gives developers the financial flexibility to build more housing units. Austin now allows developers of any type of project to build without…To read more — login/subscribe
Visit a city that has embraced electric buses, and it’s easy to see — and smell and hear — the appeal. In Tallahassee, FL (est. pop. 201,728), the battery-powered buses that serve downtown and the Florida State University campus are clean and quiet. Unlike traditional diesel-powered buses, Tallahassee’s vehicles emit no clouds of black smoke…To read more — login/subscribe
Sweet treats draw customers during holiday season In Oak Park, IL, the annual cookie walk draws crowds into downtown stores. The cookie walk began as part of the annual Winterfest, and quickly became the signature event. Participants purchase a souvenir cookie tin and a map of over 30 participating businesses. At each stop participants receive…To read more — login/subscribe
For downtown leaders with extensive wish lists for funding, the federal governments in the U.S. and Canada provide money for everything from pop-up parks to major infrastructure projects. However, securing federal funding isn’t always easy. To boost your chances of landing federal grants, you need to know what money is available and how to ask…To read more — login/subscribe
