Walkers explore cities, downtowns The Newark Downtown District puts feet on the street with the NDD Walking Club. The club is temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, but at its height, the club attracted residents, workers, and students to the free mid-day walks. The club typically runs from May through October and offers walkers three…To read more — login/subscribe
Macomb, IL (est. pop. 15,207), is a little city whose leaders freely admit it’s in the middle of nowhere. These days, they’re making a big claim: The downtown is now home to the world’s largest Monopoly board. In May, downtown leaders unveiled the completed Macombopoly. The project is a nod to Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie, a…To read more — login/subscribe
In Moline, IL (est. pop. 41,920), the city council this spring approved spending $214,000 on a system of video surveillance cameras for 16 locations downtown. Downtown merchants welcomed the new security measure, Geoff Manis, manager of Moline Centre Main Street, told KWQC television. “There’s been a big uptick in car thefts and individuals breaking into…To read more — login/subscribe
Secure parking draws bike riders downtown The City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada is now providing cyclists with a safe bike parking hub downtown. The hub uses bike racks which offer several layers of protection and allow riders to lock and unlock bikes from their phones. Input for the program was gathered from cycling organizations and…To read more — login/subscribe
Cities are increasingly using the arts to improve their downtowns and enhance economic conditions. In Cities and the Arts, editor Roger Kemp has gathered articles from a wide range of sources to demonstrate that when community investment focuses on the arts, business, commerce, and tourism will follow. … Continue reading
…articles on warnings and challenges for the future. In between, the bulk of the book is focused on best practices in economic development. These include ideas in leadership and strategy, marketing and branding, and capital and financing. Also included are many examples of classic economic development practices and contemporary… Continue reading
At first glance, Windham, CT (est. pop. 116,782), is a classic New England town. It boasts a quaint downtown, historic charm, and a wealth of Victorian buildings. On closer inspection, Windham is saddled with a reputation problem. Two once-grand hotels on historic Main Street fell into disrepair over the decades, and Windham, a once-thriving town,…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders in Milwaukee, WI (est. pop. 569,326), plan a dog park as part of an ongoing overhaul of the languishing area along — and under — Interstate 794. The interstate was part of a nationwide development of highways that divided many downtowns during the 20th century. In the case of I-794, the 3.75-mile roadway…To read more — login/subscribe
The Craft Beer Festival in Hattiesburg, MS (est. pop. 46,010), is a big deal for downtown. The event attracts some 2,000 people and serves as an important annual fundraiser. When the 2021 event was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, downtown leaders got creative. They organized a “little sister event” to the larger festival. “It…To read more — login/subscribe
T-Mobile continues to parcel out grants to small and midsized cities as part of its Hometown Grants program. The mobile carrier recently released details about its latest round of 25 grant winners. The awards of up to $50,000 went to recipients around the country with a wide variety of ideas. One theme: All the winners…To read more — login/subscribe
