San Diego’s North Park neighborhood was built in the 1920s. In the 2020s, it’s turning into a hub for high-end food, microbrews, and other hallmarks of urban affluence. The Urban Land Institute calls the neighborhood the “Brooklyn of San Diego.” The commercial district is filled with yoga studios and fitness centers. There’s an independent bookstore,…To read more — login/subscribe
Since its creation, the Gateway Mile Loan Fund in Elkhart, IN, has helped finance both interior and exterior renovations of downtown buildings, and allowed new businesses to open. "What I think is unique about the program is that it is not funded by public dollars," says Burt Troyer, who administers the fund. "This is all…Continue reading
The town square of Athens, AL (est. pop. 25,176), boasts a century-old courthouse, bustling restaurants, and a church. Successful events such as a farmers market and a concert series are staged in the historic downtown. Incongruously, downtown Athens was also long home to expansive thoroughfares seemingly designed for high-speed suburban traffic, not for a quaint…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to reduce touch points amid the pandemic some cities are de-activating beg buttons and automating crossing signals. Chapel Hill, NC, was among the earliest cities to make the switch with 30 signal locations automated in late March. To read more — login/subscribe
In some ways, the economic trajectory of Clarksdale, MS (est. pop. 15,124), is similar to that of other small cities in the Deep South. Per capita income is less than $20,000, and the poverty rate is north of 40 percent, according to the Census Bureau. But Clarksdale has created a downtown success story based on…To read more — login/subscribe
For a quarter-century, the Downtown Improvement District (DID) in Reading, PA (est. pop. 88,373), managed the city’s declining urban core. The DID’s ambassadors picked up trash, and the organization hosted summer concerts, a holiday parade, and other events. However, Reading never experienced a true downtown renaissance, and questions about the DID’s effectiveness festered. Those doubts…To read more — login/subscribe
The coronavirus recession has devastated independent restaurateurs, but it hasn’t stopped the spread of commercial kitchens, those facilities that serve as co-working spaces for food truck operators, caterers, and other food producers. Commercial kitchens are coming to downtown Orangeburg, SC, Oak Creek, WI, and other locations. In Oak Creek, a restaurant that didn’t survive the…Continue reading
It’s natural for downtown leaders to celebrate new businesses. But experienced economic developers say you shouldn’t forget the businesses that have been downtown for years. These businesses embody the community’s character, create unique experiences, and serve as inspiration for other business owners. That’s the motivation behind a new wave of “legacy” business programs aimed at…To read more — login/subscribe
In Ann Arbor, MI (est. pop. 119,976), the Healthy Streets program returned for a second year this spring. The program, which launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic, aims to provide additional space for socially-distanced walking and bike riding. The 2021 activities saw changes to many streets such as reducing a stretch of Main…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown festivals can provide lasting economic, social, and cultural benefits. But hosting a successful event, and avoiding common pitfalls, takes expert preparation and execution. Writing on the Downtown New Jersey website, Jason Gleason, executive director of Montclair Center Business Improvement District, offers his eight rules for event success. 1. Establish clear goals. Before launching into…To read more — login/subscribe
