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.

 


Our Town Grants 

January 1, 2025
Cultural district wayfinding, public art installations, pop-up galleries, outdoor concertsand film screenings, ally activations, and more have received funds from the Our Town Grant program.  The National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant program is a creative placemaking initiative designed to strengthen communities through arts, culture, and design.  Our Town grants typically range from…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Idea Exchange

January 1, 2025
Maintaining the historic streetscape For over two years, a battle has dragged on between Columbia Gas of Ohio and downtown leaders in Delaware, OH. Most of the buildings in the historic downtown have gas meters inside. The utility planned to relocate them outside and proposed putting them on the street-facing facades. Business owners and the…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Downtown Idea Exchange, January 2025

January 1, 2025
To read more — login/sign up

 

Downtown aims to attract young workers — by sprucing up streetscapes

December 1, 2024
Michigan promotes career opportunity with the You Can campaign.  When it comes to the relationship between downtown streetscapes and a city’s economic vitality, state officials in Michigan are using the same playbook as urban placemakers. In October, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced it would direct $1.37 million in grants to Lansing,…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Tree planting: big plans and small steps

December 1, 2024
As record temperatures gripped the nation this summer, downtown leaders looked to increase shade, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality by expanding the tree canopy. But there are additional benefits, says Chelsea Craig chair of the Morenci, MI, Downtown Development Authority. By creating a green and vibrant environment, the DDA aims to increase foot…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Community foundations share downtown goals

December 1, 2024
Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving local problems. They are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving conditions in a defined geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities.  When the goals of downtown organizations and foundations align,…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Idea Exchange

December 1, 2024
New LED streetlight program The city of Ann Arbor, MI, is embarking on an ambitious LED streetlight program aimed at reducing lighting costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative, which has already shown promising results, is significantly supported by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  The program began with a successful pilot project which…To read more — login/subscribe