A decade ago, the downtown organization in Sioux Falls, SD (est. pop. 196,528), was looking for a way to boost business during January. Downtown Sioux Falls decided to try Burger Battle, a month-long contest that pitted downtown restaurants in a competition to create the best new burger. Participating eateries debuted a new burger, and diners…To read more — login/subscribe
The summer kicked off with record-breaking heat across much of the U.S. In the Southwest and Southeast, the “feels-like” temperatures soared well above 100 degrees in July. For downtown leaders, the oppressive temperatures complicated plans for outdoor events — and they served as a reminder that cities need to start planning for intense heat. While…To read more — login/subscribe
Reading, PA (est. pop. 94,834), hopes a big investment in electric vehicle charging stations can give its downtown a reboot. Downtown leaders in Hamilton, MT (est. pop. 4,632), see an EV charging station as a way to generate visits. The EV boom is in full swing, and downtowns across the country are trying to use…To read more — login/subscribe
As record temperatures gripped the globe this summer, downtown leaders increasingly looked to tree canopies as a way to lower the mercury. From Seattle to Palm Beach, FL, there is agreement that urban areas need more trees to alleviate the impacts of climate change. While urban landscaping was once valued primarily for its aesthetic appeal,…To read more — login/subscribe
For downtown leaders with extensive wish lists for funding, the federal governments in the U.S. and Canada provide money for everything from pop-up parks to major infrastructure projects. However, securing federal funding isn’t always easy. To boost your chances of landing federal grants, you need to know what money is available and how to ask…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
Placemaking grants drive activity Little Alley Shows brought live music to a long-forgotten space behind the Wolf & Cub boutique in downtown Jacksonville, FL. Little Alley Shows were just one of the many downtown activations funded through grants from downtown Jacksonville in 2023. The PlacemakingJax program brings together individuals and groups to “engage in the…To read more — login/subscribe
With his downtown struggling to make a full comeback from the pandemic, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston this year announced a Clean and Safe Downtown program designed to address some of the city’s most obvious issues. “Downtown Denver is the economic and cultural center of our city,” Johnston said when announcing the initiative. “It is the…To read more — login/subscribe
Innovative hydration stations Just in time for the first major heat wave of the summer, the city of Phoenix, AZ, launched its Chilled Drinking Water pilot program downtown. The water stations provide taps for filling bottles with chilled water and two regular drinking fountain taps. The initiative aims to provide fresh water and to reduce…To read more — login/subscribe
