For downtown leaders in cold climates, January is a time to hunker down and wait for the spring thaw. The rush of holiday events is over, and many downtowns won’t ramp up attraction efforts until warmer weather arrives. But if you want to spur some activity during the snowy time of year, take heart: Northern…To read more — login/subscribe
Teslas and other electric vehicles are a common sight on American roadways. While EV stations are showing up in public spaces in some downtowns, the charging infrastructure has mostly been hidden away in privately owned garages or on privately owned parking lots of shopping centers and hotels. With a wave of new EVs expected in…To read more — login/subscribe
Scaling up downtown walking tours Downtown walking tours are a popular way to connect locals and non-locals with all that downtown has to offer. The Downtown Alliance, which manages Lower Manhattan’s business improvement district, created a Walking Tour Incubator Grant Program to spur the development of creative new tours and support budding tour operators. The…To read more — login/subscribe
For Canadian downtowns, post-pandemic summertime schedules are filling up with outdoor busker festivals. The events feature a variety of performers — musicians, magicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, acrobats, and specialty cyclists among others. And they hold strong appeal for audiences — there’s no cover charge, the entertainment options are broad, and tipping performers is optional. For…To read more — login/subscribe
Lights Out downtown Rapid City, SD, turned off the lights downtown — But just for seven days. The city was recognizing Dark Sky Week (April 5 - 12), an annual event which aims to educate people about light pollution and encourage them to enjoy the night sky. The Rapid City Sustainability Committee and the local…To read more — login/subscribe
Office conversions are having a moment — the topic is the subject of news stories, webinars, and conference sessions. With office space experiencing heightened levels of vacancy and housing units very much in demand, the concept of repurposing underused office space to in-demand residential space is a compelling one. But an office-to-residential conversion is not…To read more — login/subscribe
Outdoor artisan markets are gaining momentum in downtowns nationally, for a good reason. These events forge community connections and boost local economic development. The most dynamic and interactive markets serve as creative placemakers, says brand strategist Tracy Gravante, co-founder of Main Street Pops. A twist on farmers markets, artisan markets attract both local residents and…To read more — login/subscribe
In Madison, WI (est. pop. 259,673), a new program will provide a financial safety net for food cart operators doing business in public parks. In Fort Collins, CO (est. pop. 170,245), an initiative will sponsor asphalt art in neglected neighborhoods. The two programs are among the winners of the latest round of pandemic-recovery grants from…To read more — login/subscribe
In downtown Fargo, ND (est. pop. 123,736), the city has spent millions to develop downtown parking garages. In Breckenridge, CO (est. pop. 4,938), city officials introduced paid parking — but ever so cautiously. The two cities illustrate varying approaches to the age-old challenge of providing enough parking for visitors while not making rules so loose…To read more — login/subscribe
