Downtown Idea Exchange

Downtown Billings, MT (est. pop. 109,544), has long struggled with vandalism and other property crimes committed, in part, by the homeless. Like many downtowns, Billings has turned to the concept of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) to discourage loitering, public drunkenness, and vandalism. Cities from Portland, ME, to Redding, CA, have adopted some of…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Empty office buildings, canceled events, shuttered bars and restaurants. The short-term fallout of the coronavirus pandemic was painful for downtowns. Now, downtown leaders across the country are bracing for a slower-to-unfold crisis. State and city tax revenues have been hit by the COVID-19 recession, and that’s likely to mean tighter budgets for downtown priorities for…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are gaining momentum across the country. The backyard apartments — sometimes known as guest quarters, casitas, carriage houses, in-law suites, or granny flats — can ease housing shortages and boost density in residential neighborhoods that are downtown or adjacent to downtown areas. For downtowns that have struggled to lure housing units,…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 122,610), has rekindled downtown traffic with Downtown Alive, an initiative focused on social distancing and outdoor dining. In Kalamazoo, MI (est. pop. 76,557), the downtown district has introduced a new social district that allows for public consumption of alcohol. Both programs are focused on the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.…To read more — login/subscribe

 

For the past 19 years, people have flocked to the annual Blueberry Festival in downtown Marquette, MI. The summertime favorite features sidewalk sales, food vendors, crafts, blueberry specials, pony rides, children’s activities, and inflatables. For 2020, the event was transformed from Blueberry Fest to Blueberry Quest. Starting the morning of Friday, July 31, 20 “blueberry”…To read more — login/subscribe

 

As in many communities, Johnson City, TN, regulates ground-floor uses in the city center. These spaces are designated for the businesses which drive foot traffic and vitality to the area. Now, the Regional Planning Commission is considering amending the city’s zoning code to allow ground-floor housing downtown. City staff suggests that there are opportunities for…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Pop-up retail is being considered as part of the downtown development initiative in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. Rather than popping-up in vacant or underused downtown space, the city envisions businesses popping up in refurbished shipping containers. The containers would be moved between locations as opportunities arise. Read an archive article about creative retail space using…To read more — login/subscribe

 

Floating promenades on the historic C&O Canal and pop-up cafés in Washington Harbour are just two visions of how iconic Washington D.C. spaces might be re-shaped to meet changing needs as the pandemic lingers.  Nine bold concepts for D.C. spaces were developed by regional architects and designers for Washingtonian magazine.  See all nine concepts. A…To read more — login/subscribe

 

The average high temperature for July in Auburn, CA, is 92 degrees. That makes it difficult to enjoy downtown’s Central Square Art Park.  Completed in 2016, the park was envisioned as a place to host small music and entertainment events. But, by the spring of 2017 it had become clear that the park was too…To read more — login/subscribe

 

• Curbside commerce, vacant-lot dining: Coronavirus inspires creative concepts
• Downtown takes cleaning, distancing seriously — but not too seriously
• In an era of social distancing, public engagement goes virtual
• Best practices for online public engagement
• “Environmental design” can contain crime, but only to an extent
• Coronavirus recession cuts into local budgets
• Granny flats, in-law suites — ADUs by any name can make towns stronger
• As pandemic drags on, downtowns get creative
• Annual festival transformed
• Downtown considers ground-floor housing
• Portable pop-up retail
• Iconic spaces reimagined
• Blending art and shade

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