In downtown Anchorage, AK, 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 gatherings. The success story shows downtown leaders can make a difference without a big budget. Town Square Park was transformed with attention rather than a…Continue reading
A series of late-night shootings in downtown Orlando, FL (est. pop. 284,817), has pushed downtown leaders to search for ways to make the city’s entertainment district safer. Among a flurry of incidents, a 34-year-old Army veteran was shot to death in early May while walking down a crowded downtown street. The spate of shootings, and…To read more — login/subscribe
Miami is in the midst of transforming unused space beneath the Metrorail tracks into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and exhibit space for public art. The idea was generated not by urban planners or elected officials, but by a Miami resident who calls herself “a crazy citizen.” Meg Daly has often repeated the story…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
Does downtown Memphis, TN, have too much parking, or too little? The complicated answer: Yes to both queries. “It really depends on when, where, and how far away you want to park,” says Brett Roler, vice president of planning and development at the Downtown Memphis Commission. Visitors can struggle to find spots at peak hours.…To read more — login/subscribe
When Jason Mathis moved to St. Petersburg, FL (est. pop. 258,308), to take over the city’s downtown organization, he immediately noticed two things. The first was that St. Petersburg boasts a surprisingly thriving arts scene anchored by the Salvador Dali Museum. That venue alone, devoted to works of the Spanish surrealist famous for his images…To read more — login/subscribe
Albuquerque, NM (est. pop. 562,591), is trying a novel approach to quelling crime in a problematic area downtown: It’s bringing in food trucks. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has labeled two parking lots on Central Avenue “drivers of crime.” To address the issues there, the city plans a “food truck corral” that will operate on Friday…To read more — login/subscribe
During the month of February, the GO Santa Cruz program hosted the Fall in Love with Carpooling Challenge. Through the challenge, downtown commuters who carpooled at least four times during the month earned Downtown Dollars plus the chance to win a downtown date night for two valued at $200. To enter, participants signed up with…To read more — login/subscribe
Sandusky, OH (est. pop. 24,651), is coping with challenges familiar to downtown leaders in many Rust Belt cities. For half a century, the city has lost factory jobs, and its population has steadily declined. But Sandusky isn’t giving up. The small city is leveraging its easy access to Lake Erie, its historic architecture, and a…To read more — login/subscribe
The owner of 15 South Avenue in downtown New Canaan, CT, is seeking permission to convert second floor commercial space to residential. For years, both floors in the small building have been retail. Because of the low demand for retail space in the city center, the owner would like develop a one bedroom apartment. Many…Continue reading
