Toccoa, GA (est. pop. 8,328), boasts a thriving downtown and a bustling historic theater. It has even carved out a niche as a setting for filmmakers looking for an iconic courtroom and Main Street. The turnaround came only after the rural town decided to tear up a downtown pedestrian mall, and to remove the ugly…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Denison, TX (est. pop. 24,851), hosts nearly 700 events a year, a brisk pace that generates a steady stream of activity. The hectic schedule has also forced downtown leaders to be mindful about how to pace the events so that they help rather than hinder downtown merchants. “We’ve got to consider that our businesses…To read more — login/subscribe
In San Diego, CA (est. pop. 1,414,515), a decades-long experiment to revitalize a long-neglected community has made notable progress. In one unusual turnaround strategy, the family foundation that has invested heavily in the region sold shares of a now-bustling retail center to local residents. After decades of effort, the area is showing signs of improvement.…To read more — login/subscribe
During the depths of the pandemic, outdoor dining provided a lifeline for downtowns. Office buildings went empty, concerts and festivals were canceled, and indoor dining was called off — but at least sidewalk service allowed downtown restaurants to keep the lights on. In Los Angeles, for instance, a survey of restaurant owners found that 81…To read more — login/subscribe
Perhaps no city illustrates the challenge of downtown leadership as vividly as San Jose, CA. On the one hand, the city is the center of Silicon Valley, an affluent region where the typical home sells for $1.4 million and median family income is nearly $170,000. On the other, downtown has a problem with homelessness, and…To read more — login/subscribe
In response to a spate of property crimes aimed at merchants, San Francisco city officials have launched a new grant program that aims to help small businesses recover from damage done to their storefronts by thieves and vandals. The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant program provides $1,000 to $2,000 to businesses that must absorb the costs…To read more — login/subscribe
When the pandemic began, office landlord Larry Feldman acknowledged he was “curled up in a fetal position.” Feldman, chief executive officer of Feldman Equities, owns downtown office buildings in Florida, and he worried that leasing activity was going into a long hibernation. After all, an exodus from dense downtowns was the theme of the day.…To read more — login/subscribe
Bike patrols increase In April the Philadelphia Center City District (CCD) announced that it would expand its downtown bike patrol program. Bike patrols have been operating in the city center since late 2020 as part of a larger citywide initiative focused on public safety. The patrols operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven day…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, a former furniture store and warehouse in downtown Swainsboro, GA (est. pop. 7,396), sat empty. Now it’s a thriving hub that’s home to an antique mall and a gallery featuring local artists. Swainsboro’s project won praise for activating a long-vacant space. The turnaround was spurred when the city bought the property and completed…To read more — login/subscribe
