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
Boston recently joined a growing number of cities that have made nighttime management a priority. Boston hired its first nightlife economy director, making the position part of the mayor's cabinet. In most cities, the position — often called night mayor — aims to rein in rowdy nightlife. In Boston, the challenge is to liven things…Continue reading
As of December, Panama City, FL, allows visitors to consume alcohol two days a week while strolling through the Downtown Panama City Social District. City officials approved the new district despite opposition from skeptics who say looser rules encourage public drunkenness. Panama City was one of many communities to launch an outdoor drinking district in…Continue reading
Albuquerque, NM (est. pop. 561,006), has joined a growing trend toward waiving bus fares. The city council moved in late 2023 to remove all fees for transit services provided by ABQ Ride. The move follows a two-year pilot program, numerous data reports, and feedback from community members. “Since the Zero Fare Pilot Program began, we…To read more — login/subscribe
The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) has offered its Start-Up Grant program since 2013 to encourage first-time events in Rochester, MN. Initially, the program offered up to $1,000 to applicants hosting first-time events downtown. "Five years later, the RDA is now able to offer up to $3,000 for approved events," says Karli McElroy, RDA’s program manager.…Continue reading
Wheeling, WV (est. pop. 27,062), was recently recognized by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia for its façade grant program. Here’s a rundown of how the program works. First, applicants must submit the following information to the city: • Completed application See the complete façade improvement program guidelines. • Photographs of existing façade • Plans…To read more — login/subscribe
From Maine to California, downtowns are limiting vehicle traffic on streets. As cities look for ways to lure visitors back downtown, and ensure space for social distancing, roadways are being repurposed as outdoor dining spaces. In Rockland, ME (est. pop. 7,190), the city closed Main Street for two weekends in June and turned over the…To read more — login/subscribe
With new federal guidelines in place as of April 1, downtown leaders should gear up for an accelerated release of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Main Street America says. ARPA, the stimulus package enacted in March 2021, includes $350 billion directed to states and local governments. The idea is to help local…To read more — login/subscribe
Who’s your Emma Crawford? The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival in Manitou Springs, CO, has been going strong for 28 years. The quirky event draws on a bit of local history to bring 10,000 spectators downtown every October. Emma Crawford, who died in 1890, was safely buried on a hilltop overlooking the city. In…To read more — login/subscribe
Visitors pose for photos along the path of the floodwall murals. In the annals of cultural assets, a quilting museum and a public mural project might sound like an unremarkable pair of advantages. But Paducah, KY (est. pop. 24,879), has combined those two resources with local pride and a relentless place-building campaign to turn itself…To read more — login/subscribe
