Four sand volleyball courts drew players and spectators to an underused section of downtown Akron, OH, this summer. The project brings together the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and Summit Sports & Social, which runs volleyball and other sports leagues downtown. The foundation and canalway coalition have…To read more — login/subscribe
In Berkeley, CA (est. pop. 123,065), Telegraph Avenue has emerged as a battleground over cars and their place in a pedestrian-friendly area. A handful of university students and activists want the street turned into a pedestrian plaza, but merchants say the proposal is bad for business. Telegraph Avenue is near the campus of the University…To read more — login/subscribe
A recent parking study in Turlock, CA, reveals that even though 50 percent of parking spaces are underutilized, 72 percent of residents believe there is a parking shortage downtown.To correct this misperception and better utilize the current parking supply, the study recommends focusing on more efficient parking management, including changing parking time limits, allocating staff…Continue reading
In Chandler, AZ, city officials are combating the coronavirus downturn by marketing local businesses to consumers. The "I Choose Chandler" video reminds viewers that the city’s restaurants, gyms, clothing boutiques, and barbershops are open for business. The spot takes a subtle dig at online retailers, and the campaign urges local residents to support their neighbors. Part of…Continue reading
As the coronavirus began to spread, public health advocates, government officials, and the media reached a consensus: Urban environments exacerbate the spread of Covid-19. There’s a small problem with that conclusion, however. It might not be true. In a study published in the Journal of the American Planning Association, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtowns are positioned to rebound strongly from the coronavirus pandemic. When that rebound might occur, however, is uncertain. That’s according to downtown leaders interviewed by Downtown Idea Exchange as the global pandemic spread. “Will we come back? Absolutely,” says Dewitt Peart, president of the Downtown Austin Alliance in Austin, TX (est. pop. 964,243). However, Peart…To read more — login/subscribe
President Joe Biden has unveiled a policy designed to spur conversions of empty commercial buildings to residential use. The plan calls for public financing of office-to-residential projects, the sale of some federal properties, and targeted tax incentives. “Office and commercial vacancies across the country are affecting urban downtowns and rural main streets,” the White House…To read more — login/subscribe
In Milwaukee, WI, an annual installation of sculptures from around the world attracts attention and visitors during the summer months. In Lakewood, CO, a four-mile long art trail is winning kudos for bringing new energy to a long-neglected neighborhood. The two projects offer differing strategies for using public art as a downtown development tool. In…To read more — login/subscribe
With the summertime concert season returning to normal, a number of midsized cities are offering free concerts as a way to activate downtowns. For 2022, the Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation is funding concert series in 18 downtowns from Woonsocket, RI (est. pop. 41,616), to Carson City, NV (est. pop. 55,244). The Los Angeles-based Levitt…To read more — login/subscribe
