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
Downtown re-opening event Local Palooza was created to welcome the community back to outdoor, in-person gatherings while supporting downtown Lafayette, LA’s arts and small business community. The free event featured continuous live entertainment in and around downtown’s Parc Sans Souci as well as local vendors from the Louisiana Crafts Guild, and food and beverages for…To read more — login/subscribe
Walkers explore cities, downtowns The Newark Downtown District puts feet on the street with the NDD Walking Club. The club is temporarily suspended due to the pandemic, but at its height, the club attracted residents, workers, and students to the free mid-day walks. The club typically runs from May through October and offers walkers three…To read more — login/subscribe
In 2020, a catastrophic windstorm ripped through Cedar Rapids, IA (est. pop. 133,125). In addition to several deaths and billions of dollars in property damage, the storm destroyed more than half of Cedar Rapids’ tree canopy. Landscape architect Patrick Alvord says the storm destroyed 670,000 trees, a toll he calls “likely the greatest single urban…To read more — login/subscribe
Like many small towns, Oneonta, AL, long struggled to bring life and tax revenues to its declining downtown. Unlike most, Oneonta had a downtown property and a plan. The city owned a vacant car dealership, and City Manager Ed Lowe believed that recruiting a college to offer classes on the site would generate much-needed foot…Continue reading
Major transformation of Eugene, OR’s, downtown riverfront is underway, it will turn an inaccessible riverfront lot into a vibrant, active, and accessible riverfront district and community destination. Currently, the area is surrounded by several hundred feet of chain link fencing which is expected to be in place for at least a couple of years, says…To read more — login/subscribe
The typical American roadway was built to invite speeds well above the posted limit, says Jeff Speck, a prominent proponent for walkability. However, Speck says, it’s possible to redesign streetscapes so that pedestrianism is more inviting and less frightening. “People will choose to walk when walking is useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting,” Speck writes in…To read more — login/subscribe
Ice bars provide frosty entertainment — Hospitality venues in Lake George, NY, know a lot about how to entertain outdoors in frosty winter weather. When the temperatures dip, they open their ice bars. See a video produced by the county tourism department below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9921lPCbrE
...City uses consumer marketing, business grants to keep downtown active — In Chandler, AZ, city officials are combatting the coronavirus downturn by marketing local businesses to consumers. The “I Choose Chandler” ad below reminds viewers that the city’s restaurants, gyms, clothing boutiques, and barbershops are open for business. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SinS9wZckng&feature=youtu.be ...
The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has released a new guide, Streets for Pandemic Response and Recovery. The online guide provides cities with strategies they can use to redesign and adapt streets for new uses during the pandemic and recovery. The report compiles successful practices from cities worldwide such as converting curbside lanes…To read more — login/subscribe
As Hurricane Florence loomed in September 2018, downtown leaders in Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 122,610), had plenty of time to prepare. Downtown Wilmington Inc. canceled a commercial property showcase and collected cell phone numbers from downtown merchants. Workers took down street banners, removed hanging flower baskets, and scoured the downtown district for trash can lids,…To read more — login/subscribe
