In an effort to fill vacant downtown space, the Downtown Memphis Commission took the contrarian approach of eliminating some traditional incentives for new businesses.Leslie Gower, vice president of marketing and communications explains in the February issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. "We worked with our broker community regarding trends, and what they are hearing in terms…Continue reading
When an underutilized public building won’t sell, creative financing can attract new owners.An innovative project in Erie, CO, has converted a vacant historic building into a public gathering space while also serving as a catalyst for a significant sales tax revenue increase, and garnering media buzz with a Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence. After failing…Continue reading
Battle Creek, MI (est. pop. 51,505), is using generous incentives to attract tenants to its downtown district. Battle Creek Unlimited Inc. offers subsidies of as much as $200,000 to breweries and restaurants. New Holland Brewing Co. landed the first incentive; it used the money toward a $1 million renovation of an 18,000-square-foot building. The total…To read more — login/subscribe
Memphis isn’t the only place where Reimagining the Civic Commons is reshaping shared spaces. This nationwide initiative aims to foster engagement, equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development by revitalizing and connecting public places such as parks, plazas, trails, and libraries. Demonstration projects in 10 cities, show a “portfolio approach” to the work. Instead of concentrating…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown leaders everywhere look for quick wins and swift results. But sometimes redevelopment efforts are measured not in months or years but in decades. That’s the case in Chattanooga, TN (est. pop. 181,370), where the City Council this summer voted unanimously in favor of a new $87 million stadium for the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league…To read more — login/subscribe
Deserved or not, many downtowns get bad raps. Crime, panhandling, a lack of parking, graffiti many city centers battle challenges to their reputations. How to respond? Savvy downtown marketers say the best approach is to swallow your pride, resist the temptation to shoot down the naysayers, and fully acknowledge your issues preferably with a bit…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, packed trains and buses have served as a sign of economic vitality. Workers cramming onto public transit at rush hour reflected robust labor markets and viable levels of urban density. The coronavirus pandemic is changing all that. As the country reopens, transit officials are being forced to rethink how many people they can…To read more — login/subscribe
In Los Alamos, NM (est. pop. 13,270), a retail accelerator is helping bring new life to downtown storefronts. When downtown leaders launched the program in 2021, the business district had more than 50,000 square feet of vacant storefronts, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. The program, a venture of Los Alamos Main Street and the…To read more — login/subscribe
The proliferation of properties being marketed on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms has created concern in many municipalities. Critics say the short-term rentals disrupt neighborhood cohesiveness with constant turnover and occasional loud parties. Others point to rentals as contributing to rising real estate prices and a shortage of affordable housing. Traverse City, MI, recently banned…Continue reading
The proliferation of properties being marketed on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms has created concern in many municipalities. Critics say the short-term rentals disrupt neighborhood cohesiveness with constant turnover and occasional loud parties. Others point to rentals as contributing to rising real estate prices and a shortage of affordable housing. Traverse City, MI (est. pop.…To read more — login/subscribe
