Downtown leaders in West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 117,253), plan to unveil an unusual public art project in March. Dubbed Trojan Rocking Horses, the installation consists of eight life-sized rocking horses, each custom-designed by local children during design workshops. The horses were then produced locally under the guidance of a Finnish artist and architect.…To read more — login/subscribe
Like many cities, Durham, NC, wants commuters to take the bus, ride their bikes, and generally find ways to get downtown other than the standard solo drive. Unlike most cities, Durham is tapping into the discipline of behavioral economics to change drivers’ behavior. The first strategy, a planning tool algorithm, creates a personalized route that…Continue reading
When an underutilized public building won’t sell, creative financing can attract new owners.An innovative project in Erie, CO, has converted a vacant historic building into a public gathering space while also serving as a catalyst for a significant sales tax revenue increase, and garnering media buzz with a Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence. After failing…Continue reading
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed thousands of lives while spreading untold fear. Yet the crisis also unleashed a wave of creativity. For evidence, look to the city of Baltimore’s Design for Distancing contest, a program created to elicit ideas for innovative responses to the COVID-19 recession. The competition brought more than 160 entries, many from…To read more — login/subscribe
Battle Creek, MI (est. pop. 51,505), is using generous incentives to attract tenants to its downtown district. Battle Creek Unlimited Inc. offers subsidies of as much as $200,000 to breweries and restaurants. New Holland Brewing Co. landed the first incentive; it used the money toward a $1 million renovation of an 18,000-square-foot building. The total…To read more — login/subscribe
The availability of paint that shows up only when it’s wet has inspired whimsical, low-cost "invisible art" projects on sidewalks nationwide. Each project takes a slightly different approach. Seattle’s invisible art is humorous, while Huntsville, AL, aims to bring literature to the public art scene. "We wanted it to be something unexpected that community members…Continue reading
Amid a nationwide wave of marijuana legalization, downtown leaders face a conundrum: Should they welcome cannabis businesses downtown? And if so, under what conditions? There are no right or wrong answers, but municipalities that take the time for a considered planning process make better decisions, says Chuck Latini Jr., partner at InField Consulting in Brodenton…To read more — login/subscribe
The impact of Coronavirus will be big, deep, and constantly in the news, but downtown leaders must carry on. Interviews with economic development professionals and others suggest a range of strategies for supporting at-risk businesses, protecting the downtown’s market position, and growing the local economy in the months ahead. In this and future eNewsletters, we…Continue reading
For decades, packed trains and buses have served as a sign of economic vitality. Workers cramming onto public transit at rush hour reflected robust labor markets and viable levels of urban density. The coronavirus pandemic is changing all that. As the country reopens, transit officials are being forced to rethink how many people they can…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders in Macon, GA (est. pop. 153,159), had an idea that seemed far-fetched. They hoped to spur interest in local merchants by printing their own currency, and then setting up a unique scavenger hunt based on the custom scrip. When local residents expanded the game to Facebook, and small businesses began hosting events based…To read more — login/subscribe
