In an effort to fill vacant downtown space, the Downtown Memphis Commission took the contrarian approach of eliminating some traditional incentives for new businesses.Leslie Gower, vice president of marketing and communications explains in the February issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. "We worked with our broker community regarding trends, and what they are hearing in terms…Continue reading
When an underutilized public building won’t sell, creative financing can attract new owners.An innovative project in Erie, CO, has converted a vacant historic building into a public gathering space while also serving as a catalyst for a significant sales tax revenue increase, and garnering media buzz with a Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence. After failing…Continue reading
For years, downtown leaders in El Paso, TX, steered clear of hosting events. Joe Gudenrath, executive director of El Paso’s Downtown Management District, figured there was no need, considering other organizations put on a full slate of festivals, fitness events and gallery tours. "Plenty of events already are happening," Gudenrath says. "We’re fortunate that we…Continue reading
Paducah, KY (est. pop. 24,894), is offering incentives to lure remote workers to town. Paducah, a folk arts hub and a UNESCO Creative City, joins other small and mid-sized cities in wooing white-collar workers by offering cash stipends and other bounties. Paducah’s program includes cash reimbursements for relocation costs and Internet services, as well as…To read more — login/subscribe
Paducah, KY, is offering incentives to lure remote workers to town. Paducah, a folk arts hub and a UNESCO Creative City, joins other small and mid-sized cities in wooing white-collar workers by offering cash stipends and other incentives. Paducah’s program includes cash reimbursements of up to $2,500 for relocation costs, up to $70 a month…Continue reading
Every other week we post the summary of an article from Downtown Idea Exchange. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment to streetscape improvements to placemaking. To wrap up the year, we’re highlighting five of our favorite posts. Creative, informative, and adaptable, they showcase some of the best work in downtown…Continue reading
At the height of racial justice demonstrations in the summer of 2020, Washington, DC, officials expressed fears of vandalism and looting after protesters damaged storefronts and frightened off less boisterous visitors. However, as the pandemic has dragged on, DC officials have taken a dramatically different view of demonstrations. In 2021, protests have shifted from headache…To read more — login/subscribe
Most places banned indoor smoking decades ago. Smokers moved outside, and so did their butts. The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program from Keep America Beautiful, now in its 18th year, is working to reduce cigarette litter. The key, says the organization, includes four field tested strategies: Encourage enforcement of litter laws, including cigarette litterRaise awareness about…To read more — login/subscribe
For three weeks in July, Paris, TX (est. pop. 24,447), tested back-in angled parking in part of its downtown. The test run was designed to teach motorists about the benefits of back-in parking — and to see whether drivers would embrace the shift. The Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, which patrols Paris, took the lead in…To read more — login/subscribe
Most Main Street programs operate on budgets of less than $300,000, and most Main Street directors collect salaries of less than $60,000 a year. That’s according to the 2024 Main Street Trends Survey by Main Street America. More than 500 Main Street organizations responded to the group’s questionnaire. In the latest survey, 60 percent of…To read more — login/subscribe
