A series of late-night shootings in downtown Orlando, FL (est. pop. 284,817), has pushed downtown leaders to search for ways to make the city’s entertainment district safer. Among a flurry of incidents, a 34-year-old Army veteran was shot to death in early May while walking down a crowded downtown street. The spate of shootings, and…To read more — login/subscribe
In many downtowns, farmers markets provide important activity. These weekly or monthly events generate spending, create connections with local businesses, address food deserts, and increase foot traffic. A downtown need not be part of a thriving metropolis to reap the rewards of a farmers market. Towns with populations as small as 3,000 are benefiting from…To read more — login/subscribe
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
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
