…the discussion of transportation safety. It explores the policy changes needed for a successful complete streets program, and it discusses how to get the process started. Completing Our Streets shares stories from places big and small that are adopting a complete streets approach to all of their transportation projects…. Continue reading
In recent years, scooter-share companies went from a hipster hallmark to the bane of downtown leaders. Now, after the vehicles have become nearly ubiquitous in some downtowns, electric-scooter companies are downsizing. Electric scooter-rental startup Lime cut 14 percent of its workforce as it exited a dozen markets in the U.S. and abroad. Lime said in…To read more — login/subscribe
Since 2017 AARP has been distributing millions of dollars through its AARP Community Challenge grant program. The money goes to a variety of projects nationwide. Recent recipients have included a project to turn a closed motel into a homeless shelter in Pueblo, CO, a downtown game station in Opelika, AL, and efforts to refurbish downtown…To read more — login/subscribe
Embracing a newly popular strategy to improve traffic safety, San Francisco is moving forward with a ban on right turns during red lights downtown. While cities from Washington, DC, to Honolulu have cracked down on right turns on red, the concept isn’t popular everywhere. In Indianapolis, the issue has taken on a partisan bent —…To read more — login/subscribe
If your downtown struggles with a bad reputation, don’t fight it — embrace it — Crime, panhandling, a lack of parking, graffiti — many city centers battle challenges to their reputations. How to respond? Savvy downtown marketers say the best approach is to swallow your pride and fully acknowledge your issues — preferably with a bit of self-effacing humor. See the BuzzFeed post, The 10 best drugs coming out of Baltimore.
...Diversity, demographics will be driving forces for downtown development, study says — Demographic trends create both tailwinds and new challenges for downtown development, according to the 2020 Global Trends Report by Progressive Urban Management Associates and the International Downtown Association. ...
Pop-up retail fills vacancies, enlivens streetscape — By providing small spaces to startup retailers for free, Downtown Memphis has helped incubate such businesses as a reseller of collectible sneakers and a purveyor of custom soaps. View the Open on Main guidelines. ...
Volunteer management best practices — Read the Michigan Main Street Association volunteer tool kit. ...
In recent years, downtowns across the country have embraced traffic roundabouts as a way to ease congestion at clogged intersections. The traffic features do seem to make busy crossings safer. There’s a downside, however: Motorist confusion can cause a spike in fender benders. First the good news. In San Pedro, TX (est. pop. 334), to…To read more — login/subscribe
As the coronavirus shut down its city center, Memphis, TN (est. pop. 650,632), faced a mass extinction of small merchants. The Downtown Memphis Commission responded quickly, handing out short-term loans totaling $260,000 to 46 businesses. The program was designed to provide emergency funding for small businesses that might not have been able to receive larger…To read more — login/subscribe
Start planning for cookie season Downtowns across the nation will welcome cookie sellers to their streets in February. Since 1917 Girl Scouts have been selling the seasonal treats in January through April. Cookie booths are typically set up on sidewalks, in building lobbies, and in retail locations. For example, Sommerville, NJ, hosts scouts at Starbucks,…To read more — login/subscribe
In Millburn-Short Hills, NJ (est. pop. 21,699), Restaurant Week has turned into a springtime traffic driver. The event debuted in March 2023, then returned in March 2024. Restaurant Week is organized by Explore Millburn-Short Hills, a special improvement district, and involves some 40 restaurants and boutiques offering 60 specials. The offerings ranged from appetizers to…To read more — login/subscribe
Since 2011, the town of Flower Mound, TX, has conducted a Retail & Restaurant Survey every other year. The results are used to ensure that residents have input into the type of downtown they want, recruit new businesses, explore consumer leakage, and educate the public about why certain retail and restaurant wishes are not realistic.…Continue reading
