Steer your nonprofit through short-term crises and long-term change with Coping with Cutbacks. This timely book, shows readers how to shift their thinking from “How do we get more money to keep our nonprofit functioning?” to “How do we involve other segments of the community to address important… Continue reading
Downtowns have long struggled with crime and homelessness, but those problems have intensified in recent years. Homeless populations have soared, drug overdoses have spiked, and organized shoplifting has mushroomed. Now, downtown leaders are coalescing around the idea that lenient laws, indifferent enforcement, and drug decriminalization bear much of the blame for a crime wave in…To read more — login/subscribe
In late 2023, Austin, TX (est. pop. 975,335), became the largest U.S. city to end parking requirements for new developments. During a nationwide housing shortage, proponents of eliminating parking requirements say the strategy gives developers the financial flexibility to build more housing units. Austin now allows developers of any type of project to build without…To read more — login/subscribe
In Chicago, landlords and cannabis entrepreneurs are gearing up for a new business opportunity presented by Illinois’ legalization of recreational marijuana. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a different idea. Chicago’s top elected official proposed banning pot shops downtown. Lightfoot’s rationale: If dispensaries are allowed on Michigan Avenue and other high-value addresses, Chicago’s less prosperous neighborhoods won’t…To read more — login/subscribe
The post-pandemic performance of the nation’s city centers continues to be a mixed bag. On the downside, downtowns are facing well-documented problems. Office space remains underused, and office-serving merchants are struggling. At the same time, city centers bear the brunt of homelessness. But downtowns are also proving remarkably resilient. They have begun to recover dramatically…To read more — login/subscribe
Many cities with a population of 150,000 or less struggle to compete with their larger neighbors and often have trouble attracting residents and new businesses. Small Cities Thinking Big explores the many ways that these cities can compete on a larger scale without sacrificing their authentic small-town character. … Continue reading
In Redding, CA, a new venture has brought together 18 small shops in one location. Called Gather Downtown, it’s not quite a business incubator, not quite an antiques mart or a food hall. Instead, it’s a middle ground, an initiative that fills vacant space, nurtures local entrepreneurs, and provides a downtown gathering place. "We wanted…Continue reading
Hoping to reduce severe accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, many downtowns have tested traffic roundabouts as an alternative to intersections with traffic signals. One city isn’t experimenting — it’s going all in. During the past two decades, Carmel, IN (est. pop. 101,918), has invested heavily in a plan to replace traffic lights with roundabouts. After…To read more — login/subscribe
When the coronavirus closed downtown Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 122,610), for business, Ed Wolverton thought back to the city’s hurricane of 2018. In the aftermath of that disaster, he telegraphed the message that downtown was open for business. In this latest shock, he delivered the same news, but with a twist. Wolverton, president and chief…To read more — login/subscribe
Columbus, OH (est. pop. 902,073), faced a problem familiar to many car-centric cities. There wasn’t enough parking, yet downtown workers were reluctant to take public transit. So downtown leaders spearheaded a solution, in the form of a program that gives free bus passes to many downtown workers. The program was a success — transit ridership…To read more — login/subscribe
