It’s a familiar problem in downtowns throughout the U.S. — Large delivery trucks block traffic as the driver stops at the curb to drop off a single small package. In an attempt to address the congestion caused by package deliveries, some cities are experimenting with bicycles to get packages to their final destination. One high-profile…Continue reading
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District in Arlington, VA (est. pop. 234,000), launched the first parklet in the Washington, DC, metro area back in 2018. Before the COVID-19 pandemic made parklets an international craze, the Rosslyn BID simply wanted to do something creative, and spur a reevaluation of how people use public space. The parklet is…To read more — login/subscribe
Late-night revelers in Naperville, IL, may leave their cars overnight without fear of a parking ticket. An ordinance allows overnight parking and gives the city an inexpensive way to make late-night visitors feel more welcome. Discussions began at a transportation workshop in December of 2009 when a council member suggested free overnight parking. "We acknowledged…Continue reading
In the University of Toronto’s most recent ranking of downtowns’ post-pandemic recoveries, St. Louis, MO (est. pop. 281,754), ranked dead last among 66 North American cities. Foot traffic was at just 53 percent of pre-pandemic levels. In another sign of trouble, St. Louis’ population shrank by 1.5 percent according to the latest U.S. Census data,…To read more — login/subscribe
Tasting rooms and events featuring local wineries and craft breweries have proved popular downtown. Now cities are finding distilleries are equally suited to the city center. The February issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter highlights three distilleries that are contributing to historic preservation and attracting visitors and locals alike. In one example, the St. Augustine (FL) Distillery…Continue reading
Shared kitchens are gaining popularity in big cities and small towns. They often fill long-vacant space, act as specialized business incubators, and draw visitors. "Think of it like co-working space for small food businesses," says Corinne Tso, head of Cook Tucson. Food-prep rules in most places require food products for sale to be prepared in…Continue reading
The M14 bus usually crawls across one of Manhattan’s busiest crosstown thoroughfares at 5 mph. After New York City officials barred car traffic along 14th Street, however, the buses suddenly zipped so quickly that bus drivers had to slow down to stick to their schedules. New York City’s promising results could offer an alternative to…To read more — login/subscribe
It’s been over a decade since Philip Walker published his piece the “Top 10 Myths of Downtown Planning,” but his analysis remains timely. Walker, head of The Walker Collaborative, says residents, city officials, and business owners often fall victim to commonly held “misinformed notions,” which can hinder downtown development. They are: • Our downtown needs…To read more — login/subscribe
Lauren Potter uses social media to promote downtown Phoenix, and she goes well beyond posting a quick photo and a few hastily crafted words. She once devoted three hours to creating an Instagram Story about a downtown project that used shipping containers in creative ways. “It does take time,” Potter says. “People understate how long…To read more — login/subscribe
Once thriving, then struggling, High Point, NC (est. pop. 111,213), is on the rise again. Tens of millions of dollars of new investment are flowing into the city’s downtown. Among the new projects are a 4,000-seat ballpark for the Rockers, a team that plays in baseball’s independent Atlantic League. Other downtown projects include a condominium,…To read more — login/subscribe
