Advocates for pedestrian safety are pushing for a simple fix that promises to make crosswalks safer for those traversing streets on foot: Forbid motorists from turning right on red lights. The concept is gaining momentum and also generating political pushback. Right-on-red turns are already illegal in the tourist zone of Honolulu. After successfully testing no-turn-on-red…To read more — login/subscribe
New Orleans’ French Quarter once was the rare entertainment district that allowed revelers to drink while they strolled public streets. However, many small cities not known as party towns are getting in on the act, a trend that has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic and the new reality of outdoor dining and drinking. In…To read more — login/subscribe
When new bike share stations were installed in downtown West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 109,767), they were located directly on city sidewalks. It’s an option that’s feasible so long as certain guidelines are met. The National Association of City Transportation Officials says cities often put bike stations on sidewalks if road space is unavailable,…To read more — login/subscribe
Amid a nationwide wave of marijuana legalization, downtown leaders face a conundrum: Should they welcome cannabis businesses downtown? And if so, under what conditions? There are no right or wrong answers, but municipalities that take the time for a considered planning process make better decisions, says Chuck Latini Jr., partner at InField Consulting in Brodenton…To read more — login/subscribe
For years, downtown leaders in Tybee Island, GA (est. pop. 3,124), mostly guessed at visitor information. The bridge coming into town from Savannah was outfitted with vehicle-counting sensors, so Tybee’s leaders had a general idea of how many people were coming to the beachfront town. But the era of big data has allowed Tybee Island…To read more — login/subscribe
It’s a challenge for cities of all sizes: What to do with the outdated warehouses and abandoned factories on the fringes of the core commercial district? In Houston, a group of entrepreneurs has an intriguing solution. Developers hope to transform the city’s East End into a walkable, mixed-use district. While the area has welcomed new…To read more — login/subscribe
Lights Out downtown Rapid City, SD, turned off the lights downtown — But just for seven days. The city was recognizing Dark Sky Week (April 5 - 12), an annual event which aims to educate people about light pollution and encourage them to enjoy the night sky. The Rapid City Sustainability Committee and the local…To read more — login/subscribe
Like many cities, Durham, NC, wants commuters to take the bus, ride their bikes, and generally find ways to get downtown other than the standard solo drive. Unlike most cities, Durham is tapping into the discipline of behavioral economics to change drivers’ behavior. The first strategy, a planning tool algorithm, creates a personalized route that…Continue reading
Tourism consultant Roger Brooks has a contrarian alternative for downtowns struggling with a dearth of visitors. Tell them to go camping, canoeing, or hiking instead. As strange as it sounds, Brooks says, the strategy makes sense. He points to the example of Asheville, NC. Thanks to its downtown restaurants and microbreweries, Brooks says, “Asheville is…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus pandemic has hammered downtowns. While the duration of this disruption is unclear, the impact of coronavirus will be broad, deep, and unrelenting. Even so, downtown leaders must carry on. Economic development professionals suggest a range of strategies for supporting at-risk businesses, protecting the downtown’s market position, and growing the local economy in the…To read more — login/subscribe
