In Wheeling, WV (est. pop. 27,066), a creative twist on a business plan contest has paid dividends in the form of downtown occupancy. Wheeling Heritage uses a community crowd-funding event to vet business ideas for downtown storefronts. The winning entrants get money to put toward their business concepts. The event, known as Show of Hands,…To read more — login/subscribe
At first glance, Windham, CT (est. pop. 116,782), is a classic New England town. It boasts a quaint downtown, historic charm, and a wealth of Victorian buildings. On closer inspection, Windham is saddled with a reputation problem. Two once-grand hotels on historic Main Street fell into disrepair over the decades, and Windham, a once-thriving town,…To read more — login/subscribe
One downtown has dealt with a crush of Uber and Lyft drivers by directing the vehicles into designated rideshare hubs. Before the coronavirus shutdowns silenced downtown Orlando, FL (est. pop. 285,705), city officials say designating locations for drivers to pick up downtown patrons improved traffic flow during the late-night rush hour when bars closed and…To read more — login/subscribe
A lack, or even perceived lack, of public restrooms downtown can lead to visitor dissatisfaction, as well as the more unsightly problem of public urination. Communities are finding that the expense of adding public restrooms is worthwhile because it keeps downtown cleaner, and provides visitors with a more comfortable experience, which in turn encourages them…Continue reading
Making lighter, quicker, cheaper improvements can mean something as simple as providing seats in public spaces. For example, when the public library in Wallkill, NY, wanted to activate green space around the building, it installed colorful lawn chairs along with signs inviting people to relax. “This effort changed the look and feel of the library…Continue reading
Doing a complete overhaul of downtown signage can be a lengthy-but-worthwhile process, as has been the case in Knoxville, TN. The city started gathering public input for its comprehensive wayfinding program in 2009, and hopes to see the project completed this year. “Our wayfinding program was really intended to do three things,” says Anne Wallace,…Continue reading
To increase the appeal and draw more people downtown for Small Business Saturday, Morgan Hill, CA, created "street scenes." Individual parking spaces in the heart of downtown were transformed by local businesses into activity areas. One parking space was transformed with a holiday theme and featured Santa Claus posing for photos with children. Another spot…Continue reading
In response to more than three decades of population loss and commercial decline, the city of Birmingham, MI, committed to building a new identity as "The Walkable Community."A long-range vision, along with traffic-calming measures, ordinance changes, and more over the past two decades has seen the downtown’s Walk Score reach 92, a "walker’s paradise." "We…Continue reading
Downtown leaders nationwide are exploring the option of allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in designated districts, or at specific events and the results are largely positive.Alpharetta, GA, passed an ordinance in 2011 allowing one drink per person in a plastic or paper cup of no more than 16 ounces, purchased from a restaurant, to be…Continue reading
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
