The official statistics say downtown Memphis, TN (est. pop. 650,618), isn’t in need of additional emergency shelter beds for homeless people. But Jared Bingham looks around and sees that the official stats don’t tell the full story — there are many people in Memphis, especially women, who need shelter. “Memphis has about 8,000 families that…To read more — login/subscribe
Skeptics think of downtown Bridgeport as a treacherous place. The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) has a different perspective. It sees downtown Bridgeport, CT (est. pop. 144,365), as “friendly,” “flourishing,” and “eclectic.” To underscore that image, downtown boosters launched Colorful Bridgeport, a branding and marketing program that pitches the district as a vibrant place…To read more — login/subscribe
Led by a bike-friendly mayor, Pittsburgh is betting that bike transit is here to stay. But detractors have responded with a “bikelash” that includes complaints that new bike lanes take away valuable parking spots. This autumn, the city completed work on bike lanes that connect the city’s downtown to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Earlier…To read more — login/subscribe
The latest round of urban flight has spawned one of the great debates of the COVID-19 pandemic. Will Americans resume their shift toward urban living when the coronavirus is brought to heel? Or will they decide the suburbs suit them? Prominent economists disagree. Some say the luster of city centers already had begun to fade…To read more — login/subscribe
Every successful urban district struggles with parking — how to provide enough spaces, how to price those spaces properly, how to enforce violations. In his book Walkable City Rules, city planner and urban designer Jeff Speck offers some contrarian advice about parking. Downtown leaders need to stop serving the parking monster, and instead make parking…To read more — login/subscribe
Lancaster City, PA, is home to a thriving downtown arts community, centered on the city’s Gallery Row. Throughout the year, a half dozen events ensure that streets, restaurants, and galleries are filled with browsers, shoppers, and diners. Events include an en plein air painting day with artists working on the sidewalks in front of galleries.…To read more — login/subscribe
The Soundwalk app gives city dwellers more reasons to get outside and explore. During the height of the pandemic in New York City, composer Ellen Reid created original music to accompany a stroll through the city’s iconic Central Park. Reid utilized the Soundwalk app. The mobile app allows artists to compose audio and map it…To read more — login/subscribe
The City of Grand Junction, CO, and the Downtown Development Authority are moving forward with the conversion of a section of a surface parking lot to a public plaza. The plaza will provide an informal gathering space as well as a central location for concerts and events. Importantly, it will allow main street to remain…To read more — login/subscribe
After a contentious election season, the planning commission in Petoskey, MI, will review its political sign regulations. Those standards currently include a 15-day period to remove signs after an election, and size limits depending on the area of the city. But, city officials say a wave of complaints this year has prompted a second look…To read more — login/subscribe
During the holiday season, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and VAE Raleigh, a nonprofit community arts center, joined forces to present the Illuminate Art Walk. The walk, which ran from Dec. 11 to Jan. 8, featured 18 light installations throughout downtown. Visitors were encouraged to plan their own self-guided walking tour and to stop in for…To read more — login/subscribe
