When it comes to bike lanes, U.S. cities are known to be well behind their peers in Europe and Canada. But that’s changing, according to the advocacy group People for Bikes. More protected bike lanes and safety-minded bike networks are being built than ever before, the group says. In hopes of inspiring other downtowns to…To read more — login/subscribe
Since its creation, the Gateway Mile Loan Fund in Elkhart, IN, has helped finance both interior and exterior renovations of downtown buildings, and allowed new businesses to open. "What I think is unique about the program is that it is not funded by public dollars," says Burt Troyer, who administers the fund. "This is all…Continue reading
For communities struggling to bring people downtown, events and other activities are a natural solution. But planning, organizing, and hosting those events requires staff time and resources. For downtown leaders who want the benefits of a full event schedule but don’t want to run events themselves, a downtown grant program is a useful tool. Whether…To read more — login/subscribe
Workers in downtown Grand Rapids, MI (est. pop. 197,423), will plant thousands of flowers and shrubs this year along with hundreds of trees. The total budget is north of $300,000 — and downtown leaders say the investment is worth every penny. “It’s incredibly important for a lot of reasons,” says Melvin Eledge, director of operations…To read more — login/subscribe
Many cities set downtown parking rates and then forget about them for years. A few of the largest cities have embarked on ambitious parking plans that rely on wireless sensors and real-time data to adjust prices throughout the day. Seattle chose a middle route. The city carefully studies parking patterns and then updates rates once…Continue reading
For many downtowns, attracting and keeping businesses is a daunting task. Downtown merchants often are independent businesses that lack sophisticated support networks and deep reserves of capital. Some downtown leaders have taken pains to make life easier for business owners. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) points out several successful examples of downtowns that are…To read more — login/subscribe
The downtown associations in two historic city centers have joined forces to support each other and grow the region. View a brief interview with Ingram and Knepper on the benefits of co-marketing The cities of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, are separated by just six miles and the International Bridge.…To read more — login/subscribe
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. In most states, cities and counties can’t impose speed limits lower than 25 mph. But as pedestrian fatalities remain a stubborn problem, lower speed limits are gaining…To read more — login/subscribe
The holidays are here again — and for many downtown leaders, that means it’s time to think about how to wrest some holiday spending from Amazon and suburban shopping malls. Locally branded gift cards have emerged as a popular way to spur local spending while also tapping into civic pride. For downtowns that have embraced…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
