Skeptics think of downtown Bridgeport as a treacherous place. The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District has a different perspective. It sees downtown Bridgeport, CT, as "friendly," "flourishing," and "eclectic." To underscore that image, the district launched Colorful Bridgeport, a branding and marketing program that pitches the district as a vibrant place to live, work, and…Continue reading
During the warmer months, many communities offer outdoor movies in downtown parks and plazas. Downtown drive-ins are also gaining in popularity. In Columbus, OH, a downtown market collaborated with a local film center to offer movies shown on a 30-foot tall screen in the market’s parking lot each month. Guests could tune in to the…Continue reading
Just as downtown businesses are realizing that advertising the downtown as a whole benefits individual businesses, whole communities are reaping the benefits of a more regional approach to marketing. "We know that people travel from place to place and town to town and don’t necessarily travel by county or state lines,” says Lisa Challenger, director…Continue reading
A “pawp-up” park for dogs downtown. A basketball court in a formerly unused underpass. Wayfinding signage scrawled on sidewalks with chalk. Painted pianos in public parks. Not every downtown attraction initiative needs to be a major undertaking. There’s a real role for small, inexpensive projects. Errin Welty, senior downtown development director at the Wisconsin Economic…To read more — login/subscribe
A "pawp-up" park for dogs downtown. A basketball court in a formerly unused underpass. Wayfinding signage drawn on sidewalks with chalk. Painted pianos in public parks. Not every downtown attraction needs to be a major undertaking. There’s a real role for small, inexpensive projects. Errin Welty, senior downtown development director at the Wisconsin Economic Development…Continue reading
The once-bustling downtown in Ottumwa, IA (est. pop. 24,676), hopes to lure visitors and residents back to the city center. The small city has embarked on an ambitious program that includes new housing units, an overhaul of its streetscapes, and new attractions. Planning for the $6 million project kicked off in October 2017, when Main…To read more — login/subscribe
Novice or professional, individual or group, adult or youth, gingerbread house contests and displays appeal to virtually everyone. And viewing and voting can engage visitors of all ages as well. An exciting take on this classic downtown event, has teams of architects competing against each other while onlookers observe their techniques. In Houston, the Gingerbread…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
In downtown Texarkana, TX (est. pop. 36,733), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financed a $1.4 million redevelopment of the Hotel Grim, a 1925 building that was repurposed to include dozens of residential units. In Brockton, MA (est. pop. 95,740), HUD loaned $1.5 million for the Brockton Restaurant Infrastructure Fund. The program…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
