The Minneapolis region’s light rail transit is expanding and plans to begin serving Hopkins, MN (est. pop. 18,300), in 2023. Downtown leaders in Hopkins welcome the new train line, which transit officials expect to carry 34,000 riders a day. But Hopkins also has a challenge: The Green Line Extension of the light rail service will…To read more — login/subscribe
New Orleans’ French Quarter was once the rare entertainment district that allowed revelers to drink while they strolled public streets. However, many small cities not known as party towns are getting in on the act. City officials and downtown leaders see the new wave of public consumption districts as a way to draw visitors back…Continue reading
Paducah, KY, is offering incentives to lure remote workers to town. Paducah, a folk arts hub and a UNESCO Creative City, joins other small and mid-sized cities in wooing white-collar workers by offering cash stipends and other incentives. Paducah’s program includes cash reimbursements of up to $2,500 for relocation costs, up to $70 a month…Continue reading
Advocates for pedestrian safety are pushing for a simple fix that promises to make crosswalks safer for those traversing streets on foot: Forbid motorists from turning right on red lights. To advocates, the safety rationale is straightforward: At a typical intersection, a motorist who plans to turn the vehicle right must pull into the crosswalk,…Continue reading
Amid a nationwide increase in homelessness and addiction, many downtowns are struggling to present an image of cleanliness and safety. Meanwhile, some cities have been unable to fill open positions on their police forces. To meet a growing need, downtown leaders are increasingly turning to private security firms. For many cities, private security is a…Continue reading
Albuquerque, NM, is trying a novel approach to quelling crime in a problematic area downtown: It’s bringing in food trucks. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has labeled two parking lots on Central Avenue as "drivers of crime." To address the issues there, the city plans a "food truck corral" that will operate on Friday and Saturday…Continue reading
As Hurricane Florence loomed in September 2018, downtown leaders in Wilmington, NC, 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, recycling receptacles, and…Continue reading
During the month of February, the GO Santa Cruz program hosted the Fall in Love with Carpooling Challenge. Through the challenge, downtown commuters who carpooled at least four times during the month earned Downtown Dollars plus the chance to win a downtown date night for two valued at $200. To enter, participants signed up with…To read more — login/subscribe
Four sand volleyball courts drew players and spectators to an underused section of downtown Akron, OH, this summer. The project brings together the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, and Summit Sports & Social, which runs volleyball and other sports leagues downtown. The foundation and canalway coalition have…To read more — login/subscribe
When the city of Sebring, FL, completed its marketing plan in 2010, better outreach to locals and people visiting the area was identified as a key component in business retention and attraction. The strategies include: Developing a theme/brand that promotes downtown as a unique and sociable city, in order to enhance, strengthen, and establish new…Continue reading
