The Knight Foundation, which provided funding for Macon Money, says the program provided three valuable lessons: • Macon Money encouraged exploration. Games free people to try new things against a backdrop that’s playful and safe. In Macon Money, residents took advantage of their free currency to experiment with new spending habits: 46 percent of players…To read more — login/subscribe
Northampton, MA. Northampton, MA, is working through an overhaul of zoning rules that would bring a form-based code to downtown and an adjacent neighborhood. It’s a step that’s gaining popularity nationwide as proponents of "missing middle" housing call for more flexibility in the types of property uses cities allow in and near downtowns — and…Continue reading
Toccoa, GA (est. pop. 8,328), boasts a thriving downtown and a bustling historic theater. It has even carved out a niche as a setting for filmmakers looking for an iconic courtroom and Main Street. The turnaround came only after the rural town decided to tear up a downtown pedestrian mall, and to remove the ugly…To read more — login/subscribe
How downtowns are incorporating heat mitigation into their designs — In Tucson, AZ, summertime temperatures are hot — and getting hotter. In response, the city has begun requiring shade structures and other heat mitigation. See the full report on heat strategies.
...Community owned store marks milestone — Village Mercantile recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of continuous operation in the upstate New York town of Saranac Lake. To learn more read the archive article, “Community develops locally owned department store to meet needs.” ...
By ushering in a new age of public meetings on Zoom, some predicted, the coronavirus pandemic was poised to intensify public engagement in downtown planning. Instead, researchers report, the opposite happened: If anything, public discourse grew more passive. That’s the conclusion of three academics who interviewed municipal planners about how the pandemic has affected discourse…To read more — login/subscribe
Historic buildings enhance the charm of any downtown. They create an undeniable sense of place. But maintaining, restoring, and reusing historic structures can be an expensive and complicated undertaking. To help with the challenges of historic preservation, there’s an array of funding sources, partnerships, and tax credits available to property owners and downtown leaders. The…To read more — login/subscribe
A series of late-night shootings in downtown Orlando, FL (est. pop. 284,817), has pushed downtown leaders to search for ways to make the city’s entertainment district safer. Among a flurry of incidents, a 34-year-old Army veteran was shot to death in early May while walking down a crowded downtown street. The spate of shootings, and…To read more — login/subscribe
A decade ago, the downtown organization in Sioux Falls, SD (est. pop. 196,528), was looking for a way to boost business during January. Downtown Sioux Falls decided to try Burger Battle, a month-long contest that pitted downtown restaurants in a competition to create the best new burger. Participating eateries debuted a new burger, and diners…To read more — login/subscribe
The city of Boston recently joined a growing roster of cities that have made nightlife management a priority. Boston recently hired its first nightlife economy director, making the position part of the mayor’s cabinet. “We are working to create more opportunities for residents and businesses to help our night scene grow and bolster our local…To read more — login/subscribe
It’s natural for downtown leaders to celebrate new businesses. But experienced economic developers say you shouldn’t forget the businesses that have been downtown for years. These businesses embody the community’s character, create unique experiences, and serve as inspiration for other business owners. That’s the motivation behind a new wave of "legacy" business programs. In one…Continue reading
