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
Rock Springs, WY (est. pop. 23,319), is a small city in a conservative state, and its gay community long maintained a low profile. That began to change about two years ago, when a downtown bookstore hosted a gathering for the LGBTQ community. Before the first such event at Sidekicks Wine & Book Bar, Chad Banks,…To read more — login/subscribe
In Fort Lauderdale, FL (est. pop. 182,434), downtown leaders are organizing a “Get Back Downtown” event for September. The outdoor office party will urge office workers to return to their cubicles in the central business district’s office towers. In Columbus, OH (est. pop. 902,073), a downtown group likewise is marketing the city center by sprucing…To read more — login/subscribe
Roundabouts are a popular way to smooth traffic flow at busy intersections. What about less hectic crossings where you’d like to slow vehicles? Mini-roundabouts have been shown to increase safety at intersections, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). Some best practices for mini-roundabouts include: • Crosswalks should be marked to clarify where…To read more — login/subscribe
In a bid to boost business at downtown bars and restaurants, the city of Owensboro, KY (est. pop. 59,188), has loosened rules around outdoor consumption of alcohol. As the pandemic pushes patrons outside and leaves downtowns bereft of visitors, many cities are considering revamped codes concerning alcohol. Owensboro’s downtown, along the banks of the Ohio…To read more — login/subscribe
The pandemic dealt a number of blows to the once-thriving downtown in Sacramento, CA (est. pop. 513,620). Violent crime spiked and pedestrian traffic fell by more than 50 percent, according to the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. And a quarter of downtown businesses closed permanently during the first 18 months of the pandemic. In an effort to…To read more — login/subscribe
With construction on the rise, the Burlington Downtown Business Association is looking for ways to ease travel and parking in the city center. According to the local InsideHalton.com, the association’s proposals include requiring increased communication with downtown businesses and enhanced construction cleanup. More controversial is the proposal to require construction workers to park outside of…To read more — login/subscribe
Somerset, KY (est. pop. 11,998), unveiled a new wayfinding system that features directional and informational signs throughout downtown streets. The signs carry the city’s brand and logo, and their role is both practical and less obvious revealing connections, highlighting diversity, and demonstrating community pride. The network was launched in Somerset’s downtown core with plans to…To read more — login/subscribe
Santa Cruz, CA (est. pop. 64,729), has a thriving downtown. Some 4,000 workers have jobs in the district, and downtown’s mix of early-morning cafés and late-night bars create what Claire Gollogly, the city’s transportation planner, calls a “23-hour” city. There is a catch, though. Downtown Santa Cruz is home to just 2,000 parking spaces. “We…To read more — login/subscribe
