With a prominent university and a thriving job market, Louisville, KY (est. pop. 602,000), has been performing well economically. New arrivals face a daunting task of learning to navigate the school district and other everyday issues. That's why the Chamber of Commerce Greater Louisville Inc. launched City Champs, which allows people considering a move to…To read more — login/subscribe
First it was food trucks adding vitality to city centers, and now fashion trucks are making their way downtown. From Fashion Truck Fridays hosted by the Rosslyn BID in Arlington, VA, to the weekly rotating fashion trucks in Houston, TX, these small, mobile shops are drawing the curious, as well as serious shoppers. In Denver,…Continue reading
A reopening of the U.S. economy doesn’t mean activity levels in downtowns will immediately return to normal. As the coronavirus pandemic has dragged on, it has become clear that consumers and merchants will take time to resume old behavior patterns, says Matt Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at Main Street America. That means downtown…To read more — login/subscribe
…a vibrant startup community The attributes of leadership in a startup community that can help it thrive along with the classic problems any community will face during development The importance of a university in a startup community How large companies can engage effectively with entrepreneurs. The importance of continuous improvement… Continue reading
Funding public art Haikus popped up on sidewalks in the Bluebird Business Improvement District in Denver, CO. In 2019, students from a local high school selected poems, created laser-cut stencils, and painted the poems on sidewalks. The project was funded with a $5,000 grant from the P.S. You Are Here grant program. Since 2014 the…To read more — login/subscribe
In normal times, Las Vegas’ casinos, conventions, and concerts bring a steady stream of visitors. During the coronavirus pandemic, however, Sin City has seen its famed Strip go unusually empty. To give local merchants a boost, the Downtown Vegas Alliance launched a “Playcation” promotion aimed at residents who are already in Vegas. “Downtown small business…To read more — login/subscribe
…development potential, and more. The communities examined are typically small ones, ranging in population from a few thousand in rural locations to over 50,000 in cities such as Santa Monica, CA, and West Palm Beach, FL. But the lessons they offer can be applied to communities of all sizes…. Continue reading
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. All that changed in 2019, when the bridge was renovated and re-named the Beehive Bridge. The…To read more — login/subscribe
As the coronavirus pandemic spurred new migration trends, downtown leaders in Miami, FL (est. pop. 467,968), decided to sweeten the pot for employers. The Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA) launched a Follow the Sun initiative that pays incentives to businesses that move to the central business district. To qualify, an employer must create at least…To read more — login/subscribe
During the Great Recession, Danville, VA (est. pop. 42,556), had fallen on such hard times that it was unclear if downtown could ever bounce back. “Our downtown completely died,” says Diana Schwartz, executive director of Danville’s River District Association. “Our entire community died.” No one was living downtown. The inventory of vacant commercial space stretched…To read more — login/subscribe
