South Orange, NJ, had a business-recruitment problem. There was no shortage of tenants interested in setting up shop downtown — but the village’s rules didn’t allow for many of the types of experience-based tenants that are taking space in downtowns nationwide. The municipality’s rules were "very, very restrictive," says Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the…Continue reading
Gregory Allen has the unwieldy job title of “site-specific ranger,” but he describes his role simply. He greets every visitor to his stretch of the Memphis riverfront, offers help when it’s needed, and attempts to defuse problem situations. “Our job is to create a welcoming and friendly environment,” says Allen, a U.S. Navy veteran who…To read more — login/subscribe
Strong, effective leadership is essential to bringing ideas and people together for community and economic development. In The Community Leadership Handbook, author James F. Krile provides the tools every community leader needs, no matter what their formal title or training. Based on the Blandin Foundation’s 20-years of… Continue reading
In Portland, ME, a local couple envisioned a three-story, mixed-use building in the city’s Deering Center neighborhood. However, they faced a number of challenges. Such a building hadn’t gone up for years. And the developers — architects Kiya and Denis Lachman — were rookies. But they pursued the plan anyway, ultimately completing a structure that’s…To read more — login/subscribe
Wayfinding efforts stymied by out of date signs Placards hanging from posts direct pedestrians to local businesses and places of interest in downtown Healdsburg, CA. A January audit of the signage found that over 40 of the 100 placards listed businesses that had closed or moved. As the council looks to update the signage, it…To read more — login/subscribe
When it comes to bike lanes, U.S. cities are known to be well behind their peers in Europe and Canada. But that’s changing, according to the advocacy group People for Bikes. More protected bike lanes and safety-minded bike networks are being built than ever before, the group says. In hopes of inspiring other downtowns to…To read more — login/subscribe
Large-scale light installations that blend contemporary art and technology are making their mark, lighting up the night from New Orleans and Baltimore to Sydney and London. Many of these free light festivals include interactive elements that turn spectators into participants who are able to change colors or patterns by moving or playing a game. The…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
As electric scooters proliferate in downtowns throughout the nation, proponents see the vehicles as an important ingredient in any solution to gridlock and pollution. When paired with trains, buses, and trolleys, shared scooters offer a quick, convenient, eco-friendly way for commuters to travel the “last mile” to their destinations. “These are transportation devices,” says Dominick…To read more — login/subscribe
For a time, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership took an unusually active role in dealing with public safety issues in downtown Anchorage, AK (est. pop. 287,145). In 2016, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership launched a program known as Safety First. In collaboration with the Anchorage Community Development Authority, the Downtown Partnership operated a hotline that took calls…To read more — login/subscribe
