When it comes to business signage, many commercial areas are a free-for-all of ads of all shapes, sizes, and colors. If your downtown could be described as an "ugly, cluttered, sign-overloaded district," it’s time to clean up, says Ed McMahon, chairman emeritus of Main Street America and a senior fellow at the Urban Land Institute.…Continue reading
North America’s population is growing both younger and older, and more culturally diverse. Those demographic trends create both tailwinds and new challenges for downtown development, according to the 2020 Global Trends Report by Progressive Urban Management Associates and the International Downtown Association. Millennials and members of Generation Z have embraced urban living. Employers and employees…To read more — login/subscribe
In January, Philadelphia’s Center City District passed the halfway point in its efforts to plant 200 new street trees. The overall goal of Plant Center City is to bring the total number of street trees in the district to 2,500. In making the announcement, the District notes the benefits of urban street trees: “Research on…To read more — login/subscribe
Push for 15 mph speed limits gains momentum — In an effort to reduce pedestrian fatalities, Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that would allow municipalities to drop speed limits in business districts as low as 15 mph. Read the Governors Highway Safety Association report.
...Most mayors expect pedestrian-friendly changes to prove temporary — The COVID-19 pandemic led cities to reshape their urban landscapes. According to research by Boston University’s Initiative on Cities, the transformation of city streets appears unlikely to last. See Boston University’s report here. ...
Retail village boosts local economy — Kuna, ID, will launch a retail market village in June. The village will consist of 12 small shops in re-purposed garden sheds. Read the archive article, “Outdoor kiosks breathe new life into long-dormant space.” ...
In downtown Anchorage, AK (est. pop. 288,000), Town Square Park was once a hub of antisocial activities. Through sustained efforts, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership turned the public space into a hub for community activities. The success story shows downtown leaders can make a difference without a big budget. In Anchorage, Town Square Park was transformed…To read more — login/subscribe
Hendersonville, NC (est. pop. 13,840), is preparing to reopen and welcome customers back downtown. Prior to the pandemic, the city was a bustling place with a narrow Main Street, planters blooming with flowers, and strolling pedestrians. But it wasn’t always that way. Back in the 1970s, Hendersonville’s historic Main Street was so empty and so…To read more — login/subscribe
New zoning rules in Lincoln, NE (est. pop. 289,096), aim to encourage home- based businesses in the South of Downtown neighborhood. Shawn Ryba, executive director of the South of Downtown Community Development Organization, says the changes are designed to throw an economic lifeline to a low-income neighborhood where 94 percent of residents are renters rather…To read more — login/subscribe
President Joe Biden has unveiled a policy designed to spur conversions of empty commercial buildings to residential use. The plan calls for public financing of office-to-residential projects, the sale of some federal properties, and targeted tax incentives. “Office and commercial vacancies across the country are affecting urban downtowns and rural main streets,” the White House…To read more — login/subscribe
Reallocating Street Space During the Pandemic Many cities have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by creating more space for people outside. Which of the following, if any, have you implemented in your community? Do you anticipate any of these changes becoming permanent? Source: Urban Parks and the Public Realm: Equity & Access in Post-COVID Cities…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to attract grocery stores to underserved areas of the city, Wilmington, NC, is considering banning some discount stores. As the local Port City Daily reports, the move follows the lead of several larger cities that have limited stores, such as Dollar General and Family Dollar, in the hopes of attracting full-service grocery…To read more — login/subscribe
