For decades, downtown leaders have lamented highway-building projects that cut awkward paths through urban cores. The infrastructure boom of the 1950s and 1960s claimed many a victim, recreating traffic patterns in ways that trampled on pedestrianism and made clear that the needs of suburban residents trumped the quality of life of those living in the…To read more — login/subscribe
In the summer months, downtowns everywhere expanded outdoor dining. But an obvious question loomed: What would replace outdoor dining when the mercury dropped? One downtown in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula answered that question by creating an outdoor ice-skating facility. The inspiration for the skate “ribbon” came by chance. Just before Christmas, the Portage Canal flowing between…To read more — login/subscribe
In Chandler, AZ, city officials are combating the coronavirus downturn by marketing local businesses to consumers. The "I Choose Chandler" video reminds viewers that the city’s restaurants, gyms, clothing boutiques, and barbershops are open for business. The spot takes a subtle dig at online retailers, and the campaign urges local residents to support their neighbors. Part of…Continue reading
Perhaps no city illustrates the challenge of downtown leadership as vividly as San Jose, CA. On the one hand, the city is the center of Silicon Valley, an affluent region where the typical home sells for $1.4 million and median family income is nearly $170,000. On the other, downtown has a problem with homelessness, and…To read more — login/subscribe
Most local shelters only permit clients to bring a single bag, forcing them to choose between leaving their belongings behind or staying elsewhere — often on downtown streets. In Kansas City, MO, 30 gallon bins are providing storage for the homeless. The rolling bins are stored in a secure location and have been dubbed "Heart…Continue reading
A new initiative in Gardiner, ME, is encouraging businesses with a proven track record in other communities to open new downtown locations. Two years of planning and consideration went into the program design, which is being hailed as, “a model for redevelopment efforts” statewide. Businesses accepted into the program are eligible for a number of…Continue reading
Two blocks in downtown Iowa City, IA, were under construction this spring and summer as the city worked to upgrade underground utilities; increase the width of sidewalks; distribute parking on both sides of the street; enhance accessibility; create healthier planting areas; and modernize lighting, seating, and other amenities. To reassure shoppers that the area is…Continue reading
Led by a bike-friendly mayor, Pittsburgh is betting that bike transit is here to stay. But detractors have responded with a “bikelash” that includes complaints that new bike lanes take away valuable parking spots. This autumn, the city completed work on bike lanes that connect the city’s downtown to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Earlier…To read more — login/subscribe
Holiday deal and scavenger hunts The Downtown Holiday Deal Hunt got shoppers in Reno, NV, to explore new businesses and shop locally. The key to the program is that anyone who shops, eats, or plays at participating businesses has a chance to win prizes ranging from a 10 percent discount to $100 gift cards to…To read more — login/subscribe
