Bringing more retail downtown may require an unconventional path. In St. Louis, MO, that path saw the downtown organization develop a retail collective. When a developer purchased a significant amount of property downtown, the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis stepped up to advocate for a larger retail presence. “We were concerned we would miss an…Continue reading
In May, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms responded to the coronavirus pandemic with a number of emergency initiatives, including an end to parking enforcement in the city. The move, while well-intentioned, came with a downside, says David Wardell, vice president of operations and public safety at Central Atlanta Progress. “All the residents have tied up…To read more — login/subscribe
Marco Li Mandri, who runs San Diego’s Little Italy Association, admits he was stunned by the coronavirus pandemic. “No one knows how to deal with this,” he says. “We’ve never had a situation where we’ve been confronted with the entire economy shutting down.” After the initial shock, Li Mandri got creative. His district has survived…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week in Wausau, WI, includes an adult ball pit, the world’s largest coffee break, DIY workshops, an ice cream social, and a succulent bar. The event, now in its fourth year, is dedicated to thanking downtown employees and introducing them to downtown amenities that they may not be familiar with. “This week…To read more — login/subscribe
In response to a spate of property crimes aimed at merchants, San Francisco city officials have launched a new grant program that aims to help small businesses recover from damage done to their storefronts by thieves and vandals. The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant provides $1,000 to $2,000 to businesses that face the costs of break-ins…Continue reading
In response to a spate of property crimes aimed at merchants, San Francisco city officials have launched a new grant program that aims to help small businesses recover from damage done to their storefronts by thieves and vandals. The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant program provides $1,000 to $2,000 to businesses that must absorb the costs…To read more — login/subscribe
From Maine to California, downtowns are limiting vehicle traffic on streets. As cities look for ways to lure visitors back downtown, and ensure space for social distancing, roadways are being repurposed as outdoor dining spaces. In Rockland, ME (est. pop. 7,190), the city closed Main Street for two weekends in June and turned over the…To read more — login/subscribe
In Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood, downtown leaders have activated streets and alleyways over the past five years, an initiative that has contributed to the neighborhood’s revitalization and strong sense of place. The effort links Dairy Block, Market Station, and McGregor Square, creating what LaDonna Baertlein, director of business development at design firm DigStudio, calls…To read more — login/subscribe
Pratt Street is a brick thoroughfare in the heart of downtown Hartford, CT (est. pop. 122,591). For all its promise, Pratt Street long has been bereft of pedestrian traffic. When the mayor proposed closing the street to cars, downtown leaders countered that further reducing activity on the street was the wrong approach. Instead, the Hartford…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, a former furniture store and warehouse in downtown Swainsboro, GA (est. pop. 7,396), sat empty. Now it’s a thriving hub that’s home to an antique mall and a gallery featuring local artists. Swainsboro’s project won praise for activating a long-vacant space. The turnaround was spurred when the city bought the property and completed…To read more — login/subscribe
