To the dismay of sports fans, the coronavirus pandemic canceled March Madness in 2020. For 2021, the show is on — and host city Indianapolis is setting up downtown to make the most of the marquee event. In most years, tournament games are played throughout the U.S. The championship city hosts just the finals and…To read more — login/subscribe
Every other week we share a summary article from Downtown Idea Exchange. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment, to streetscape improvements, to placemaking, and more. 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…Continue reading
Urban planners have long criticized local rules requiring new residential development to include parking spaces equal to or greater than the number of units in the project. It’s a practice that makes housing expensive and reinforces car-centric development patterns, they argue. In downtown San Diego, a developer and city officials are trying a different model.…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
…reference that developers, architects, engineers, planners, and others have turned to for practical how-to information on the best practices for parking development and operations. Updated throughout, the fifth edition includes over 100 charts, tables, graphs, and photographs that highlight key points in the text and provide invaluable real-world data…. Continue reading
Cities embrace land banks as blight-fighting tool — A land bank’s main goal is forcing ownership changes of buildings that have sat vacant for years or even decades, especially those held by owners who have died or disappeared. Read Frank Alexander’s report on land banks.
...Chalking tires of parked cars? You might be violating motorists’ rights — The age-old parking practice of using chalk to mark the tires of parked cars faces legal scrutiny — and it just might be unconstitutional. See a federal appeals court’s ruling against tire chalking. ...
Business plan competition offers support, spurs growth — The Downtown Sacramento Partnership runs an annual contest that solicits business plans from would-be retailers. The contest, Calling All Dreamers, gives one promising retailer a grand prize of $10,000 in cash plus more than $100,000 in services. Watch finalist videos from the contest below and click this link to see program guidelines. https://youtu.be/CffofZHDLH4 https://youtu.be/O28tGNJZiqE https://youtu.be/e5SJY4H2onA https://youtu.be/6PfzCGoggNM https://youtu.be/PNdkrMe9kkY ...
Fire suppression incentives — To encourage property owners to install sprinklers, the City of Frederick, MD, offers a Fire Suppression Incentive Program. See the details and application. ...
Public art encourages citizen involvement — The Lafayette sign in Lafayette, LA, was erected in 2017 as an interactive public art installation. Local nonprofit groups are encouraged to paint its letters to promote community events and awareness. Read the art guidelines. ...
Parking rate structure encourages turnover — The City of Spokane Downtown Parking Study presents a comprehensive package of recommendations designed to “facilitate growth and activity downtown, while making parking more convenient and user-friendly for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors.” ...
A public space in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 111,389), stands as a centerpiece of the city’s redevelopment. The manicured lawn offers views of the Intracoastal Waterway and glimpses of the mansions of Palm Beach. An indoor pavilion hosts weddings and other events. The park also attracts homeless people. To…To read more — login/subscribe
Wondering what downtown retail will look like in 2020 and beyond? The team at Stores, the magazine of the National Retail Federation has published its annual consumer trends predictions for the year ahead. Two trends likely to impact downtowns are: Read the full article • Consumers’ appetite for resale and recommerce continues to grow. Figures…To read more — login/subscribe
Billions of dollars have flowed into funds focusing on opportunity zones, a new type of tax designation that waives capital gains taxes on investments in blighted areas nationwide. In April, the U.S. Treasury Department clarified some of the guidelines around opportunity zone investments, and the new regulations sparked optimism from tax experts. “These rules could…To read more — login/subscribe
Digital signs approved for downtown Large-format digital billboards were on display in downtown Baltimore, MD, in December. The signs showcase local businesses, organizations, artwork, and events. The Downtown Partnership says thatanother nine billboards will be added in 2024. The billboards are in the newly created North Harbor Area of Special Sign Control, which is located…To read more — login/subscribe
