When Evan Kaufman became executive director of the Hopewell Downtown Partnership a decade ago, the small city’s core was struggling. The neglected downtown of Hopewell, VA (est. pop. 22,456), was filled with rundown buildings. Food options were sparse, and locals didn’t think downtown was safe. “In Hopewell, it was beyond downhill,” Kaufman recalls. “It had…To read more — login/subscribe
The downtown district in West Palm Beach, FL (est. pop. 117,253), is home to three state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. A fourth dispensary is also set to open in the urban core — but downtown leaders say that’s enough pot shops for now. However, state law might tie the city’s hands. In November, the West Palm…To read more — login/subscribe
Louisville, KY, will use public art to improve pedestrian safety at four downtown intersections. Louisville’s new Community Crosswalks program was inspired by the Asphalt Art Safety Study. The study by Bloomberg Philanthropies found that after asphalt art was installed, intersections experienced a 50 percent drop in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists and a 37 percent reduction in crashes leading…Continue reading
Public restrooms pose a conundrum in downtowns everywhere. If you want to welcome visitors, you need clean commodes. But many a public washroom has been commandeered for uses that may make visitors uncomfortable. Athens, GA (est. pop. 126,718), is addressing the dilemma by adding a pricey potty known as the Portland Loo to its downtown.…To read more — login/subscribe
Might air taxis someday soar over the congestion in your downtown? Skeptics will scoff at the Jetsons-like improbability of the concept, but several well-funded transit innovators say that the next step in ridesharing is just around the corner. In one noteworthy development, Joby Aviation, a California company building a fleet of mini-helicopters, recently partnered with…To read more — login/subscribe
Two of the nation’s historically important Chinatowns are in danger of disappearing, the National Trust for Historic Preservation says. Local activists in Philadelphia and Seattle are working to save their historic Chinatown districts. Philadelphia Chinatown, which dates to the 1870s, has more than 40 locally designated landmarks. “The resilience of Philadelphia Chinatown belies the many…To read more — login/subscribe
In Creating a Vibrant City Center, author Cy Paumier provides an action plan for developing a lively and economically vibrant city center. He proposes a comprehensive approach and guides readers in: Attracting a diverse yet complimentary mix of uses. Using the principals of placemaking to develop an attractive,… Continue reading
Parking Management for Smart Growth details how to create a strategic parking management program that is comprehensive, coordinated, and supportive of local goals. It explores new opportunities for making the most from every parking space in a sharing economy and taking advantage of new digital parking tools to increase… Continue reading
Good public space and street design can dramatically improve a downtown’s walkability, and enhance social and commercial activity. In this very readable book, author Ned Crankshaw combines practical experience, compelling case studies, and design guidelines to help every downtown improve the quality of its public spaces while respecting… Continue reading
A lack, or even perceived lack, of public restrooms downtown can lead to visitor dissatisfaction, as well as the more unsightly problem of public urination. Communities are finding that the expense of adding public restrooms is worthwhile because it keeps downtown cleaner, and provides visitors with a more comfortable experience, which in turn encourages them…Continue reading
