Cities across the country have invested hundreds of millions of dollars on streetcar services. Despite much fanfare, the results have been mixed. In one recent example, the Loop Trolley in St. Louis, MO (est. pop. 318,000), is struggling to attract riders. The Loop Trolley launched in late 2018 with support from the federal government andā¦To read more — login/subscribe
Downtowns have long struggled with crime and homelessness, but those problems have intensified in recent years. Homeless populations have soared, drug overdoses have spiked, and organized shoplifting has mushroomed. Now, downtown leaders are coalescing around the idea that lenient laws, indifferent enforcement, and drug decriminalization bear much of the blame for a crime wave inā¦To read more — login/subscribe
Art and culture can be powerful catalysts for downtown revitalization. Let The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook provide the strategies, best practices, and step-by-step guidance you need to put the power of arts and culture to work in your community. This practical handbook begins with a review of… Continue reading
Sweet treats draw customers during holiday season In Oak Park, IL, the annual cookie walk draws crowds into downtown stores. The cookie walk began as part of the annual Winterfest, and quickly became the signature event. Participants purchase a souvenir cookie tin and a map of over 30 participating businesses. At each stop participants receiveā¦To read more — login/subscribe
In 2017 Buffalo, NY (est. pop. 255,300), became the first U.S. city to stop requiring developers to include a minimum amount of parking in new projects. Other cities followed, including Hartford, CT, and Santa Monica, CA. As the idea gains momentum, two researchers from the University of Buffalo wanted to know what happens when aā¦To read more — login/subscribe
Volunteers provide a powerful economic benefit to communities across the nation. For downtown organizations, developing a professional team of volunteers for everything from serving on the board of directors, to updating the organizationās databases, to blowing up balloons can multiply the impact of paid staff. To run a successful volunteer program, the Michigan Main Streetā¦To read more — login/subscribe
Making the most of downtownās murals A2AC Murals brings large, vibrant works of art to the public in Ann Arbor and the South East Michigan area. The program is run by the Ann Arbor Art Center and funded through Patronicity and a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The center encourages people toā¦To read more — login/subscribe
Valerie Marmone once ran a clothing boutique in Sacramento, so she knows firsthand how hard it is to operate a retail business in an era of tight margins and online shopping. In her post-entrepreneurial career, Marmone works as vice president of business development at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. In that role, she runs the annualā¦To read more — login/subscribe
An apartment developer hopes to prove that Americans are ready to embrace car-free living. Culdesac Tempe is a new 636-unit rental community in Tempe, AZ. When the project opens for occupancy this year, residents wonāt be allowed to bring vehicles with them. āThe vision of Culdesac is to build the first car-free city in theā¦To read more — login/subscribe
