The city center in Kansas City, MO (est. pop. 491,158), has experienced “vast improvements” over the past two decades, says Bill Dietrich, president and chief executive officer of the Downtown Council of Kansas City. In an attempt to build on that momentum, Dietrich spearheaded a sweeping proposal that calls for even more changes in the…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus recession has devastated independent restaurateurs, but it hasn’t stopped the spread of commercial kitchens, those facilities that serve as co-working spaces for food truck operators, caterers, and other food producers. Commercial kitchens are coming to downtown Orangeburg, SC, Oak Creek, WI, and other locations. In Oak Creek, a restaurant that didn’t survive the…Continue reading
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
…the discussion of transportation safety. It explores the policy changes needed for a successful complete streets program, and it discusses how to get the process started. Completing Our Streets shares stories from places big and small that are adopting a complete streets approach to all of their transportation projects…. Continue reading
In recent years, scooter-share companies went from a hipster hallmark to the bane of downtown leaders. Now, after the vehicles have become nearly ubiquitous in some downtowns, electric-scooter companies are downsizing. Electric scooter-rental startup Lime cut 14 percent of its workforce as it exited a dozen markets in the U.S. and abroad. Lime said in…To read more — login/subscribe
Facing years of construction, residents, leaders join forces — In Middlebury, VT, an infrastructure project was set to tear up roads and disrupt the downtown for six years. Read a full overview of Middlebury’s efforts to promote downtown during the disruption.
...New downtown group works to broaden office district’s appeal — In San Fransisco, with white-collar workers staying home rather than going to their offices, pedestrian traffic plummeted in the Financial District during the pandemic. And fewer people meant less business for the restaurants and bars in the district. Watch the promotional video below for San Francisco’s public art show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dimqa7wDWUA ...
Capitol Beer Fest, Concerts in the Park, Dress Up Wine Down, Farm to Fork Festival. Those are just some of the many annual festivals and special events held in downtown Sacramento, CA. This busy schedule is made possible in part by the city’s special event grant program. The program was designed to support start-up events…To read more — login/subscribe
Lynn Lights wins praise for community involvement — A series of public art projects has helped Lynn, MA, shake off its malaise. Read an archive article about the Beyond Walls mural festival.
...Gateway project creates strong sense of place — The Colorado Springs Gateways Initiative was a clear win for the city’s downtown. The new landmark signs at the entrances to downtown are eye-catching, and the project was honored with an award from the International Downtown Association. See an implementation guide and photos of Colorado Springs’ Gateways Initiative. ...
To fight blight, agency buys downtown’s tallest building — To stop the decay of a downtown landmark, the Downtown Memphis Commission this spring deployed a creative — and risky — strategy. It paid $10.75 million for the entire block that’s home to 100 N. Main. Street. See a video tour of 100 N. Main St. below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i2W1J8TZ8k ...
Like many cities across the country, Buffalo, NY, is home to an annual downtown Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving weekend. 2020 marks the 125th running of the race. But the sponsoring YMCA determined to host a slightly different event this year. Instead of the traditional 14,000 person run, the organization plans to host a downtown race…To read more — login/subscribe
Event grants help fill downtown calendars — For downtown leaders who want the benefits of a full event schedule but don’t want to run events themselves, a downtown grant program is a useful tool. see the First Time Event Planning Guide from the Rochester, MN, Downtown Alliance.
...Remodeled bridge reconnects downtown neighborhoods — For decades, the Main Street Bridge separated the core of downtown New Britain, CT, from the Little Poland neighborhood. The overpass was poorly lit, with narrow sidewalks, and the roar of traffic from below. In 2019 all that changed when the bridge was renovated and re-named the Beehive Bridge. Watch a two-minute video of the Beehive Bridge below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpPtYsT1OTw ...
