Downtown Idea Exchange

Each month downtown leaders turn to Downtown Idea Exchange for practical news reports, how-to information, and hundreds of real-world examples of how downtowns are growing and prospering.

 


Regional approach to downtown marketing

March 1, 2021
Worcester County Tourism and area partners took home an award during the Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit last year. The multi-city effort, which promotes downtowns and arts and entertainment districts, earned the Leveraging Partnerships Award for the Eat. Drink. Buy Art. campaign. The campaign is a collaboration of 20 communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Advertising campaign and revitalization team work to revive downtown

March 1, 2021
Louisville Downtown Partnership launched a multi-pronged advertising campaign in February. The goal is to drive community support for the downtown district.  “Downtown is critical to the success of the community as a whole, so to remind people we’re here, and ready to welcome them back as soon as they are ready to come back, we’re…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Downtown Idea Exchange, March 2021

March 1, 2021
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Downtown uses variety of incentives to spur activity

February 1, 2021
Like most downtowns, the city center in Martinsburg, WV (est. pop. 17,475), has been eerily quiet since the coronavirus pandemic began. “For a year now, folks have been making decisions that don’t include walking around downtown,” says Shane Farthing, Martinsburg’s economic and community development director. “Folks have been hunkering down.” Farthing hopes to rekindle downtown…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Considering a façade grant? Here’s how one award-winning program works

February 1, 2021
Wheeling, WV (est. pop. 27,062), was recently recognized by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia for its façade grant program. Here’s a rundown of how the program works. First, applicants must submit the following information to the city:  • Completed application  See the complete façade improvement program guidelines. • Photographs of existing façade  • Plans…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Three-step approach to chronic homelessness helps cities achieve “functional zero”

February 1, 2021
Chronic homelessness is a problem that vexes many downtowns, and there’s no easy solution. Long-term homeless people often are afflicted with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, or physical disabilities. In a sign of hope, a new approach to homelessness is paying dividends in some mid-sized cities. Rockford, IL (est. pop. 147,070), and Abilene, TX…To read more — login/subscribe

 

After slow start, lighted tractor parade scores a win

February 1, 2021
Seeking some activity downtown, the Centralia Downtown Association a decade ago kicked off a quirky event. In a twist on a holiday parade, Centralia, WA (est. pop. 17,216), hosted a Lighted Tractor Parade. The inaugural event drew “seven entries and a lot of doubters,” according to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation. Undaunted by that…To read more — login/subscribe