The COVID-19 pandemic forced many downtowns to rethink their outdoor spaces. By summer, downtown leaders had adapted — vacant lots, sidewalks, and even streets gave way to al fresco dining. Now, though, the changing of the seasons will present a new challenge: Are downtown visitors willing to sit outside when the weather turns cold? “Everybody…To read more — login/subscribe
In normal times, Las Vegas’ casinos, conventions, and concerts bring a steady stream of visitors. During the coronavirus pandemic, however, Sin City has seen its famed Strip go unusually empty. To give local merchants a boost, the Downtown Vegas Alliance launched a “Playcation” promotion aimed at residents who are already in Vegas. “Downtown small business…To read more — login/subscribe
The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District in Washington, DC, is using rain gardens to both beautify streets and to ease flooding from heavy rains. The BID spent $1 million to install two full blocks of rain gardens on sidewalks along 19th Street, says David Suls, the organization’s senior director of planning and policy. When a…To read more — login/subscribe
The Thanksgiving Day parade in downtown Charlotte is a bona fide happening. The 74-year-old parade is the third-largest such event in the nation. It’s such a big deal that the parade airs live on Charlotte’s CBS affiliate and is syndicated to other television markets throughout the Southeast. The coronavirus pandemic didn’t care about any of…To read more — login/subscribe
The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has released a new guide, Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery. The online guide provides cities with strategies they can use to redesign and adapt streets for new uses during the pandemic and recovery. The report compiles successful practices from cities worldwide such as converting curbside lanes…To read more — login/subscribe
As staff began returning to work at their offices, the Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 launched a program aimed at garnering support for downtown restaurants. The Comeback Cuisine initiative encourages companies to purchase boxed lunches for their employees as a “welcome back” or “thank you” for their continued service. The BID’s goal is to generate the…To read more — login/subscribe
When you think about winter in Canada, outdoor dining and shopping may not come to mind. Yet, CBC Canada reports that several Canadian cities are extending temporary patio programs into the fall and winter and taking other measures to support physical distancing at shops, restaurants, and bars. For example, the City of Ottawa has extended…To read more — login/subscribe
A sidewalk sale in downtown Dayton, OH, brought out shoppers and hungry residents on a cool October day. The open-air event featured: • Outdoor merchandise displays • Downtown eateries with take-away food and drink specials, and outdoor patios • Roving entertainers including musicians and magicians • Local artisans selling their goods • Free, fall-themed coloring…To read more — login/subscribe
In August, the City of Rochester, NH, converted downtown’s one-way North Main Street from two lanes to one. The change provided space for restaurants and other businesses to offer on-street dining. The short-term measure has proven so successful that the city is now considering making the change permanent. Support has been strong from business owners…To read more — login/subscribe
The Canadian Urban Institute and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada have released the Main Street Design Challenge Playbook, a collection of design solutions that can be implemented during and after the pandemic. View the playbook in its entirety. The challenge sought to demonstrate the role of design in the revitalization of main streets, including…To read more — login/subscribe
