It’s a challenge for cities of all sizes: What to do with the outdated warehouses and abandoned factories on the fringes of the core commercial district? In Houston, a group of entrepreneurs has an intriguing solution. Developers hope to transform the city’s East End into a walkable, mixed-use district. While the area has welcomed new…To read more — login/subscribe
Digital signs approved for downtown Large-format digital billboards were on display in downtown Baltimore, MD, in December. The signs showcase local businesses, organizations, artwork, and events. The Downtown Partnership says thatanother nine billboards will be added in 2024. The billboards are in the newly created North Harbor Area of Special Sign Control, which is located…To read more — login/subscribe
Stockton, CA (est. pop. 310,476), has endured its share of struggles. The city filed for bankruptcy in the aftermath of the Great Recession, and its poverty rate of more than 19 percent is far above the state average. But downtown Stockton is on the mend, and its downtown is gaining momentum thanks to an unlikely…To read more — login/subscribe
…focuses on small and mid-sized cities. He explores how 14 representative downtowns have weathered economic boom and bust, and details the approaches that they have in common. These include residential development, immigration strategies, civic functionality, heritage tourism, and good design practices. The case studies and related text show how… Continue reading
…organized around six core principles of world-class street design: Streets as public spaces. Streets play a much larger role in the public life of cities and communities than just thoroughfares for traffic. Streets as tools for economic development. Well-designed streets generate higher revenues for businesses and higher values for homeowners…. Continue reading
In the 1990s, downtown Macon, GA, was beset by vacancy and decay. Today, the city is in the midst of a dramatic turnaround that garnered it one of three 2024 Great American Main Street Awards. The honors went to NewTown Macon, the city’s downtown organization. Its results have been impressive — downtown Macon has renovated…Continue reading
…walk you through each step and help you write a workplan. You’ll also find immediate help with 185 specific cutback strategies. These strategies can be put to use right away to help you overcome short-term crises, manage change, and use your resources more effectively. They include: 51 ways to… Continue reading
Many cities with a population of 150,000 or less struggle to compete with their larger neighbors and often have trouble attracting residents and new businesses. Small Cities Thinking Big explores the many ways that these cities can compete on a larger scale without sacrificing their authentic small-town character. … Continue reading
In Rosslyn, VA (est. pop. 12,314), the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the form of purple stickers, signs, and banners placed throughout the 17-block Business Improvement District. The city’s Rosslyn Ready program includes hundreds of signs, stickers, banners, and instructional materials distributed throughout the most-trafficked areas of downtown, including sidewalks near the Metro…To read more — login/subscribe
…brand to embrace tourism, economic development and community pride. And he demonstrates how to bring your brand to life through compelling designs, storytelling, experiences, placemaking, and wayfinding. The book provides techniques that are specific to the challenges encountered by smaller places such as downtowns, Main Streets, and business districts…. Continue reading
