Cities large and small are using public light displays to spark interest in downtowns. In one of the splashiest and most expensive new displays, Memphis, TN, is in the midst of a $14 million project to re-light the Hernando DeSoto Bridge across the Mississippi River. At the more affordable end of the spectrum, Melbourne, FL,…Continue reading
Chapel Hill, NC, deals with the usual parking hassles that plague a bustling downtown. But the college town has taken an unusual approach to addressing parking. With a $400,000 investment in new parking meters, a parking program for restaurant staff, a slick new website and app, and a social media campaign that includes people posting…Continue reading
It’s natural for downtown leaders to celebrate new businesses. But experienced economic developers say you shouldn’t forget the businesses that have been downtown for years. These businesses embody the community’s character, create unique experiences, and serve as inspiration for other business owners. That’s the motivation behind a new wave of "legacy" business programs. In one…Continue reading
While many restaurants nationwide rely on third party services like Grubhub and Uber Eats to get meals delivered quickly, they bemoan the high commission rates. To help restaurants in downtown Jackson, MS, Visit Jackson and Downtown Jackson Partners teamed up with a local delivery service. The goal was to expand delivery options for local restaurants…To read more — login/subscribe
After a two-year renovation that cost $33 million, the library in downtown Spokane, WA (est. pop. 229,065), reopened in a reimagined format. No longer a warehouse for books, the library features a number of new amenities, including study rooms, recording facilities, and art studios open to the community. There’s also a business incubator and a…To read more — login/subscribe
The age-old parking practice of using chalk to mark the tires of parked cars faces legal scrutiny - and it just might be unconstitutional. A federal appellate court has sided with a motorist who sued Saginaw, MI (est. pop. 49,366), for violating her Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search. The motorist, Alison Taylor, sued after…To read more — login/subscribe
Art on the Town was created to help artists in Lexington, KY, show and sell their work. The program features eight carts that are available seven days a week at no cost to artists. "The carts are mobile and can move around within several areas of downtown Lexington," says Heather Lyons, director of arts and…Continue reading
Now, more than ever, downtown leaders are turning to Downtown Idea Exchange for practical news, in-depth information, and concrete examples of how cities and towns are improving physical, social, and economic conditions downtown. As a regular reader, you’ll discover how they are tackling tough challenges like… Continue reading
Making lighter, quicker, cheaper improvements can mean something as simple as providing seats in public spaces. For example, when the public library in Wallkill, NY, wanted to activate green space around the building, it installed colorful lawn chairs along with signs inviting people to relax. “This effort changed the look and feel of the library…Continue reading
In May, Philadelphia, PA, attempted to break the world record for the most people on a pub crawl. While the team at Guinness World Records tallied the attendance figures, Downtown Promotion Reporter looked at downtowns that drew record crowds with their own events. Livermore Downtown Inc. in Livermore, CA, organized a dance flash mob. The…Continue reading
