In the seaside town of Asbury Park, NJ (est. pop. 15,536), electric scooters have become a popular way for residents and visitors to get around. Scooters prove especially convenient on crowded beach days, when parking is scarce and traffic is gridlocked. Asbury Park introduced a fleet of 250 scooters citywide in the spring of 2021.…To read more — login/subscribe
The downtown district in West Palm Beach, FL, is home to three state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. A fourth dispensary is also set to open in the urban core — but downtown leaders say that’s enough pot shops for now. However, state law might tie the city’s hands. In November, the West Palm Beach Downtown Development…Continue reading
More than a decade ago, Mankato, MN (est. pop. 42,093), kicked off a series of public art projects known as CityArt. A sculpture exhibit and walking tour are the centerpiece, but there are other public art initiatives, too. In 2021, the walking tour celebrated its 10th anniversary. The tour has stayed fresh for so long…To read more — login/subscribe
This year, Small Business Saturday — a crucial event for downtowns vying with suburban retail destinations — is scheduled for November 25. The event provides an opportunity for downtown leaders to foster community engagement, and for independent businesses to shine. But moving foot traffic and dollars from big box stores and online retailers takes focused…To read more — login/subscribe
The Live it Up Wausau program in Wausau, WI, seeks to attract employees to the area and give them reasons to stay. "This fits under a broad heading of employee-assisted housing or economic development homesteading," says Christian Schock, the city’s director of planning, community, and economic development. "These are programs that help employees become more…Continue reading
As electric scooters proliferate in downtowns throughout the nation, proponents see the vehicles as an important ingredient in any solution to gridlock and pollution. When paired with trains, buses, and trolleys, shared scooters offer a quick, convenient, eco-friendly way for commuters to travel the “last mile” to their destinations. “These are transportation devices,” says Dominick…To read more — login/subscribe
In mid-October, the Downtown Development Authority in West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 111,952), launched a three-month pilot project to sponsor the downtown’s on-demand electric shuttle. The service, provided by an operator known as Circuit, offers rides throughout downtown and the town of Palm Beach. “We’re constantly looking for opportunities to reduce congestion and…To read more — login/subscribe
Walkable streetscapes and new mobility options are in demand, but there’s a dark side to U.S. traffic statistics. Nationwide pedestrian deaths rose in 2019 to their highest level in three decades, even as the nation’s roadway crash fatalities overall have been falling, according to a new report. Some 6,590 pedestrians died after being struck by…To read more — login/subscribe
In late March, Downtown New Jersey announced plans for a series of virtual forums for business owners and those involved with the management of downtown business districts. The forums will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas about best practices related to downtown economic development in light of the coronavirus. The first of the live web…To read more — login/subscribe
