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
Roger Brooks of the Destination Development Association offers three tips for managing stress during trying times: Stay upbeat. This crisis eventually will pass, and while the virus is deadly for some, most people who contract the virus have only minor symptoms. Limit your intake. The news is overwhelming. You need to be informed, but you…To read more — login/subscribe
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, Ann Arbor, MI (est. pop. 121,885), decided to waive downtown parking fees at attended lots. “The decision to not charge hourly off-street parking customers is directly aimed at helping stop COVID-19 by eliminating cashier interactions with customers,” DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay told the Ann Arbor News. The move came as…To read more — login/subscribe
As the coronavirus pandemic closed downtowns across North America, downtown Detroit’s biggest landlord tried something different. Bedrock, a major property owner in the struggling city’s commercial core, told tenants it wouldn’t collect their rent. The most generous rent forgiveness terms go to small businesses, while bigger companies can get smaller breaks. “It is going to…To read more — login/subscribe
Public libraries, a staple of many downtowns, have scrambled to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. While many of the nation’s 16,000-plus libraries had closed their doors to foot traffic by late March, they sought out other ways to keep serving their communities. For instance, the American Library Association (ALA) urged members to keep their wireless…To read more — login/subscribe
In recent years, downtowns across the country have embraced traffic roundabouts as a way to ease congestion at clogged intersections. The traffic features do seem to make busy crossings safer. There’s a downside, however: Motorist confusion can cause a spike in fender benders. First the good news. In San Pedro, TX (est. pop. 334), to…To read more — login/subscribe
