The Downtown Memphis Commission has been taking advantage of a state law aimed at fighting blight. The downtown organization makes occasional but aggressive use of the law, using it as a way to force owners of properties that are dangerous eye-sores to take action. In one success story, the Downtown Memphis Commission used the Neighborhood…Continue reading
Early in the history of Open on Main, a storefront activation initiative in Memphis, TN (est. pop. 628,127), Brett Roler, senior vice president of the Downtown Memphis Commission was careful to make pop-ups look and feel like permanent businesses. Roler required retailers to operate full business hours, and the signage gave no hint that the…To read more — login/subscribe
A new program in Indianapolis, IN, highlights downtown as a safe area while also educating the public about safety and who to contact with questions and concerns.Downtown Indy collaborated with the city’s police department to create safety cards that highlight the joint actions of the two organizations, as well as providing phone numbers for non-emergencies…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
Many people who previously commuted to work are staying home. It’s a trend that will likely continue. Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, predicts that 30 percent of people will continue this trend for the foreseeable future. “Once they’ve done it, they’re going to want to continue,” Lister says. “Lockdowns will end, but this…To read more — login/subscribe
With diversity and racial equity hot topics in many communities, downtown leaders have struggled with a notable challenge: How do you get the public to give input at public hearings? And if you’re a transit agency running public bus routes, how do you make sure to hear from a constituency not known for vocal civic…To read more — login/subscribe
Once thriving, then struggling, High Point, NC (est. pop. 111,213), is on the rise again. Tens of millions of dollars of new investment are flowing into the city’s downtown. Among the new projects are a 4,000-seat ballpark for the Rockers, a team that plays in baseball’s independent Atlantic League. Other downtown projects include a condominium,…To read more — login/subscribe
Northampton, MA (est. pop. 28,516), is working through an overhaul of zoning rules that would implement a form-based code in downtown and an adjacent neighborhood. It’s a step that’s gaining popularity nationwide as proponents of “missing middle” housing call for more flexibility in the types of property uses cities allow in and near downtowns —…To read more — login/subscribe
Event management expert Lynn Fuhler looks at downtowns near her home base of Winston-Salem, NC, and sees no shortage of “trails” — themed walking or driving tours that draw in customers by playing up assets that local folks might take for granted. Downtown Asheville, NC, for instance, offers architectural tours showcasing the city’s 1920s buildings.…To read more — login/subscribe
