The Rosslyn Business Improvement District in Arlington, VA (est. pop. 234,000), launched the first parklet in the Washington, DC, metro area back in 2018. Before the COVID-19 pandemic made parklets an international craze, the Rosslyn BID simply wanted to do something creative, and spur a reevaluation of how people use public space. The parklet is…To read more — login/subscribe
From wildfires to hurricanes to tornadoes, downtowns are feeling the effects of extreme weather events. Summer flooding in downtown Burlington, VT, and Montpelier, VT damaged many buildings and forced some businesses to close for weeks or months. "It’s a giant puzzle, but it’s solvable. It’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of…Continue reading
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District in Arlington, VA, launched the first parklet in the Washington, DC, metro area back in 2018. Before the COVID-19 pandemic made parklets an international craze, the Rosslyn BID simply wanted to do something creative, and spur a reevaluation of how people use public space. The parklet is modest. It takes…Continue reading
n an effort to remove chronic troublemakers from its resurgent downtown entertainment district, the city of Las Vegas, NV, approved an "order-out corridor" in November. The City Council unanimously passed the measure, which allows Municipal Court judges to bar people convicted of crimes committed within the corridor for up to a year. Judges could allow…Continue reading
For one day in September, 23 buildings in downtown Riverside, CA, opened their doors to visitors. Most allowed guests to wander at their own pace, while others hosted guided tours. The buildings included several churches, historic buildings, and small museums. The annual Doors Open Riverside is one of many Doors Open events throughout Europe, North…Continue reading
Visit a city that has embraced electric buses, and it’s easy to see — and smell and hear — the appeal. In Tallahassee, FL (est. pop. 201,728), the battery-powered buses that serve downtown and the Florida State University campus are clean and quiet. Unlike traditional diesel-powered buses, Tallahassee’s vehicles emit no clouds of black smoke…To read more — login/subscribe
Every week we share an article summary from Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Over the course of the year we’ve covered everything from business recruitment, to streetscape improvements, to placemaking, and more. To wrap up the year, we’re highlighting five of our most popular posts. Creative, informative, and adaptable, they showcase some of the best work in downtown…Continue reading
Both Vancouver, BC, and Vancouver, WA, are known for their wet weather. And both downtowns have unveiled umbrella share programs for visitors and residents who find themselves caught in the rain. In Vancouver, WA, Vancouver’s Downtown Association has operated the Umbrella Share Program for two years, says Michael Walker, the group’s executive director. The Umbrella…Continue reading
Albuquerque, NM (est. pop. 561,006), has joined a growing trend toward waiving bus fares. The city council moved in late 2023 to remove all fees for transit services provided by ABQ Ride. The move follows a two-year pilot program, numerous data reports, and feedback from community members. “Since the Zero Fare Pilot Program began, we…To read more — login/subscribe
Urban trails are a hallmark of downtown livability. They can also be time-consuming, costly projects. Consider the case of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. The eight-mile bike path and pedestrian walkway opened in 2013 — but only after years of fundraising and planning. Downtown leaders first began exploring the concept in 1999, and the project opened…To read more — login/subscribe
