Global City Norwich is taking a multi-year approach to downtown revitalization and filling vacant commercial space. It all starts with welcoming the many diverse communities in this Connecticut city. Global City is a unique revitalization model, says Robert Mills, president of the Norwich Community Development Corporation. “Instead of starting off by just addressing empty storefronts…To read more — login/subscribe
Bennington, VT, has won a grant to support the design and fabrication of a downtown kiosk that will display information about historic sites, cultural attractions, and other amenities in the Bennington area. The kiosk will feature QR codes that link to online maps and walking tours. Printed walking tour brochures will also be available. The…To read more — login/subscribe
The Toledo City Plan Commission is considering using empty space on the sides of buildings for advertisements. The local ABC affiliate reports that the goal is decorative as well as financial. “The idea is to change the code and allow advertisers to put up large-scale poster or LED advertisements on the side of buildings downtown.…To read more — login/subscribe
A surface parking lot in the West End Historic District of downtown Dallas will soon be replaced with a modern new green space. Called West End Square, the park will include a number of features to encourage gathering for active and passive recreation as well as for work. The design includes a steel trellis and…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtowns are positioned to rebound strongly from the coronavirus pandemic. When that rebound might occur, however, is uncertain. That’s according to downtown leaders interviewed by Downtown Idea Exchange as the global pandemic spread. “Will we come back? Absolutely,” says Dewitt Peart, president of the Downtown Austin Alliance in Austin, TX (est. pop. 964,243). However, Peart…To read more — login/subscribe
When the coronavirus closed downtown Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 122,610), for business, Ed Wolverton thought back to the city’s hurricane of 2018. In the aftermath of that disaster, he telegraphed the message that downtown was open for business. In this latest shock, he delivered the same news, but with a twist. Wolverton, president and chief…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus pandemic has hammered downtowns. While the duration of this disruption is unclear, the impact of coronavirus will be broad, deep, and unrelenting. Even so, downtown leaders must carry on. Economic development professionals suggest a range of strategies for supporting at-risk businesses, protecting the downtown’s market position, and growing the local economy in the…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus pandemic forced downtown activity to grind to a halt. What now? Take advantage of the pause to address some long-neglected tasks. Downtown leaders say they’re tackling these chores: • Upgrading physical spaces. Do your offices need a fresh coat of paint? Are downtown benches and bathrooms in need of repairs? The slowdown presents…To read more — login/subscribe
Tourism consultant Roger Brooks has a contrarian alternative for downtowns struggling with a dearth of visitors. Tell them to go camping, canoeing, or hiking instead. As strange as it sounds, Brooks says, the strategy makes sense. He points to the example of Asheville, NC. Thanks to its downtown restaurants and microbreweries, Brooks says, “Asheville is…To read more — login/subscribe
