Downtown Idea Exchange

As downtowns everywhere struggle through the coronavirus pandemic, demand for downtown space has emerged in the form of state-regulated cannabis dispensaries. Office workers are staying home, retail shopping is shifting online, and restaurants and bars have been compelled to reduce their capacities — but legalized marijuana has provided a new source of downtown tenants. In…To read more — login/subscribe

 

In the summer months, downtowns everywhere expanded outdoor dining. But an obvious question loomed: What would replace outdoor dining when the mercury dropped? One downtown in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula answered that question by creating an outdoor ice-skating facility. The inspiration for the skate “ribbon” came by chance. Just before Christmas, the Portage Canal flowing between…To read more — login/subscribe

 

In the typical downtown organization, the same individuals and businesses provide financial support year after year. To expand that pool, Kathy LaPlante, a senior program officer with the National Main Street Center suggests adding an additional layer to your fundraising efforts by contacting businesses that serve and support downtown businesses. She says that these might…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Scavenger hunts can draw people into downtown and highlight all that city center has to offer. In Maine, the Downtown Bangor Partnership hosted a scavenger hunt in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. Solving clues about local architecture and history netted participants cookies and a DIY gift. Participants followed clues to 12 downtown locations.…To read more — login/subscribe

 

“For too long, libraries have been under-appreciated, often drawing less interest and attention than a new sports arena, shopping complex, office tower, or theater,” says Wayne M. Senville, former editor of the Planning Commissioners Journal. “The good news is that this has begun to change, as more communities are recognizing the value that having a…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Many people who previously commuted to work are staying home. It’s a trend that will likely continue. Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, predicts that 30 percent of people will continue this trend for the foreseeable future. “Once they’ve done it, they’re going to want to continue,” Lister says. “Lockdowns will end, but this…To read more — login/subscribe

 

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

 

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

 

• Amid national wave of migration, cities add incentives for remote workers
• Why it might make sense to recruit individuals rather than businesses
• Where protests turned violent, merchants struggle to buy insurance
• What insurance does, doesn’t cover
• Building an appealing downtown? Sometimes you need to break the rules
• Amid uncertain events schedule, downtown embraces surprise windfall
• In the midst of retail retrenchment and COVID slowdown, cannabis stores fill space
• Downtowns embrace outdoor activities during winter
• Expanding the funding network
• Searching for hearts on Valentine’s Day
• Libraries and downtowns work well together
• Downtowns welcome cowork space
• Regional approach to downtown marketing
• Advertising campaign and revitalization team work to revive downtown

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Rock Springs, WY (est. pop. 23,319), is a small city in a conservative state, and its gay community long maintained a low profile. That began to change about two years ago, when a downtown bookstore hosted a gathering for the LGBTQ community. Before the first such event at Sidekicks Wine & Book Bar, Chad Banks,…To read more — login/subscribe