The Small Business Saturday event launched by American Express in 2010 has been a boon to independent retailers in many communities each November. But in Concord, NC, downtown stakeholders were not content to mark this event only on the Saturday following Black Friday. Instead, the Concord Downtown Development Corporation carefully crafted a campaign to celebrate…Continue reading
What has been described as, "a worn-out, wasted space," and, "a symbol of urban decay" in downtown Newark, NJ, is now an award-winning "outdoor living room" for city center residents, employees, and visitors. To first redevelop, and later manage, the space, the nonprofit Military Park Partnership was formed. "We also negotiated a 24-year lease of…Continue reading
Downtown leaders in Philadelphia have boosted safety patrols, hosted return-to-work events, handed out free coffee at transit stations, and spruced up Center City’s sidewalk flowerbeds. “As an organization, we’ve done everything we can to reactivate,” Paul Levy, chief executive officer of Center City District, told The Wall Street Journal this summer. Even so, the city…To read more — login/subscribe
Visitors pose for photos along the path of the floodwall murals. In the annals of cultural assets, a quilting museum and a public mural project might sound like an unremarkable pair of advantages. But Paducah, KY (est. pop. 24,879), has combined those two resources with local pride and a relentless place-building campaign to turn itself…To read more — login/subscribe
An apartment developer hopes to prove that Americans are ready to embrace car-free living. Culdesac Tempe is a new 636-unit rental community in Tempe, AZ. When the project opens for occupancy this year, residents won’t be allowed to bring vehicles with them. “The vision of Culdesac is to build the first car-free city in the…To read more — login/subscribe
When it comes to radically changing the downtown streetscape and creating compelling attractions, it doesn’t get much easier than inflatables. Turn-key event producers offer giant inflatable waterslides, obstacle courses, and even public art installations. In February, Osuna Park in Peoria, AZ, welcomed the illuminated inflatable "Light at Play: An Interactive Art Experience." The six-piece display…Continue reading
When downtown residents are asked what they most want to see added to the business mix, a grocery store often tops the list. Post-recession economics may reduce the likelihood of chain grocers opening in downtown locations, but have instead spurred a new crop of grocery store co-ops. The June issue of Downtown Idea Exchange looks…Continue reading
To draw the community into an ongoing conversation, the city of Hagerstown, MD, launched its engageHagerstown website. The city posts questions and moderates discussions about important topics that will shape the future of the downtown. The inaugural question was: “What’s your big idea for downtown?” That first question generated “a ton of feedback,” says Sarah…Continue reading
The Hollywood Partnership is a business improvement district that provides a variety of services to businesses along the famous Hollywood Boulevard. But not every member wants the same services. In 2022 the BID created the Hollywood Partnership Community Trust, a nonprofit that hosts events and provides enhanced services to those willing to pay for them.…Continue reading
In 2013, leaders of Main Street Marshfield, in Marshfield, WI, wanted to bring a bakery downtown. Rather than traditional business recruitment techniques, the Main Street program hosted the Baker Battles. Bakers from the surrounding area competed in a bake-off with a prize of $500 and a grant if they opened a downtown bakery in the…Continue reading
