The City of Brockton, MA, is working to keep government buildings downtown. Despite a requirement that federal agencies consider downtown areas first when looking for new space, several important offices have left the city center. State social service offices and the federal social security branch have left downtown, and the Plymouth County district attorney and…To read more — login/subscribe
Like restaurants and retail, many downtown movie theaters have been hard hit by the pandemic. In Tucson, AZ, the improvement district is stepping in to save the city’s historic Fox Tucson Theater. The venue began life in 1930 as a dual vaudeville/movie house. Prior to the pandemic, the Fox was hosting 150-160 events annually and…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to attract grocery stores to underserved areas of the city, Wilmington, NC, is considering banning some discount stores. As the local Port City Daily reports, the move follows the lead of several larger cities that have limited stores, such as Dollar General and Family Dollar, in the hopes of attracting full-service grocery…To read more — login/subscribe
Capitol Beer Fest, Concerts in the Park, Dress Up Wine Down, Farm to Fork Festival. Those are just some of the many annual festivals and special events held in downtown Sacramento, CA. This busy schedule is made possible in part by the city’s special event grant program. The program was designed to support start-up events…To read more — login/subscribe
Read the report, “Food Halls 3.0.” The newest addition to downtown Milwaukee’s vibrant restaurant scene is scheduled to open this summer. Rather than a single restaurant, the 3rd Street Market Hall will open with a dozen restaurants and food businesses. There’s also room to add a dozen more. The Market Hall will feature many hands-on…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
During the civil justice protests of 2020, some downtowns suffered property damage when demonstrators broke windows and looted stores. For merchants in those downtowns, the fallout continues. Some say they can no longer find insurance coverage that will protect them from future episodes of civil unrest. And business owners worry that the hands-off policing approaches…To read more — login/subscribe
