In an effort to bring shoppers downtown and compete with nearby areas, a Canadian improvement district dusted off a classic downtown retail promotion and added some aggressive marketing techniques. The Glebe Spree, hosted by the Glebe Business Improvement Area in Ottawa, ON, Canada, runs from November 15 through December 31. Shoppers receive blank passports, and…Continue reading
Every other week you receive the summary of an article from Downtown Idea Exchange. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment, to streetscape improvements, to placemaking. To wrap up the year, we’re highlighting five of our favorite posts. Creative, informative, and adaptable, they showcase some of the best work in downtown…Continue reading
By hosting a few strategic events, downtown attracts new visitors — For years, downtown leaders in El Paso, TX, steered clear of hosting events. But in 2017, the Downtown Management District had something of a change of heart. They decided to organize a limited number of strategic events that would highlight downtown El Paso’s assets.
View promotional videos for El Paso’s Downtown Barstool Open, Eat Authentico Restaurant Crawl, and Downtown Living Tour below.
Most places banned indoor smoking decades ago. Smokers moved outside, and so did their butts. The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program from Keep America Beautiful, now in its 18th year, is working to reduce cigarette litter. The key, says the organization, includes four field tested strategies: Encourage enforcement of litter laws, including cigarette litterRaise awareness about…To read more — login/subscribe
In the December issue of Downtown Idea Exchange, guest columnist John Karras shares 12 strategies that can transform virtually any downtown into a more vibrant place. The list includes structural changes, like street reconfiguration (Turn one-way streets into two-way streets), short-term steps (Establish a regularly occurring public event), and management approaches (Consolidate regional economic development…Continue reading
The coronavirus pandemic has foisted an unprecedented crisis on downtown organizations. Many organizations were blindsided by the suddenness and severity of the downturn. To help coach downtown leaders through the turmoil, the International Downtown Association (IDA) and Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) collaborated on a game plan that spells out steps to take in the…To read more — login/subscribe
Over the past 12 months, Downtown Digest has highlighted dozens of examples of downtown leaders responding to the pandemic. But, that's not all. We've also covered parking management, attracting downtown residents, streetscape improvements, grant funding, and much more. If you’ve missed any posts during this hectic year, they are online now. You’ll even find our…Continue reading
City government, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals worked together in Ottawa, KS, to develop a much needed downtown event space. The successful project won a 2019 Crown Communities award from American City and County. The Legacy Square project features 20,000 square feet of green space, covered canopies, public restrooms, benches, and other amenities. A large pavilion…To read more — login/subscribe
The Port Huron (MI) Downtown Development Authority hopes to have its new downtown-wide gift card in place in time for Small Business Saturday — the first Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. The DDA will spend up to $13,000 on a full year of service for the branded Visa card. The costs include a $7,500 start-up fee…To read more — login/subscribe
