Greensboro, NC (est. pop. 296,725), will launch a downtown social district in March. Within its boundaries, visitors will be able to stroll while carrying alcoholic beverages in specially labeled plastic cups. Greensboro is one of a number of North Carolina cities that have enacted, or are considering, downtown social districts after Gov. Roy Cooper in…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
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
Outdoor artisan markets are gaining momentum in downtowns nationally, for a good reason. These events forge community connections and boost local economic development. The most dynamic and interactive markets serve as creative placemakers, says brand strategist Tracy Gravante, co-founder of Main Street Pops. A twist on farmers markets, artisan markets attract both local residents and…To read more — login/subscribe
Waterloo, IA (est. pop. 66,934), launched an electric scooter program in 2021, and the roll-out has been generally smooth, says Jessica Rucker, executive director of Main Street Waterloo. “There are fears about these programs, but it has gone very well,” Rucker says. Cities throughout the country have experienced the downsides of scooter sharing. St. Louis…To read more — login/subscribe
For one city, keeping employers happy means hundreds of meetings a year — It also means retaining local college students. Economic developers in Dubuque, IA, surveyed regional college students about their aspirations after graduation and found 55 percent of those surveyed were unsure if they would remain in the area. Those findings spurred the Greater Dubuque Development Corp. to market the region to young workers. See the “You Can Make It In Dubuque” brochure.
...Pricey but effective, wayfinding signs are “voice of the city” — Springfield, MA, has seen major new developments in recent months, including the opening of a casino and the rehab of the city’s Union Station. To help guide visitors to the city center, Springfield invested $400,000 in a series of wayfinding signs installed in late 2018. Read the Sign Research Foundation’s guide to urban wayfinding. ...
By focusing on five key themes, downtowns attract millennials — New research from Arizona State University is providing insights into the type of downtown housing that millennials value. ...
Encouraging upper level residential — To spur residential development in downtown Bradenton, FL, the city recently approved two new programs. Click the links below to learn more. • Upstairs Residential Conversion Grant Program & Application • Restaurant and Food Services Incentive Program & Application ...
A long vacant building in downtown Hot Springs, AR, is the new home to over 40 city employees. The staff of the city’s utility billing services, finance department, and city attorney had previously been located outside of the city center. City Manager Bill Burrough tells the Sentinel-Record that there are many benefits to having more…To read more — login/subscribe
Now that you know which brand-building missteps to avoid, here is Bill Baker’s seven-step process for building an authentic brand that resonates: • Research the current climate. Market research is the starting point for any brand-building endeavor. Look at what competitors are doing, determine what consumers think, and interview stakeholders. It’s important to remain objective…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders nationwide are exploring the option of allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated districts, or at specific events and the results are largely positive.Alpharetta, GA, passed an ordinance in 2011 allowing one drink per person in a plastic or paper cup of no more than 16 ounces, purchased from a restaurant, to be…Continue reading
Louisville, KY (est. pop. 633,045), will use public art to improve pedestrian safety at four downtown intersections. Louisville’s new Community Crosswalks program was inspired by the Asphalt Art Safety Study. The study by Bloomberg Philanthropies found that after asphalt art was installed, intersections experienced a 50 percent drop in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists and…To read more — login/subscribe
