For a time, the Anchorage Downtown Partnership took an unusually active role in dealing with public safety issues in downtown Anchorage, AK. Issues that were too minor to merit a 911 call were handled by the ambassadors. Merchants, property owners, and residents reported such issues as disorderly behavior, graffiti, panhandling, public drinking and drug use,…Continue reading
As a wave of marijuana legalization sweeps North America, some downtowns are taking advantage of the trend by welcoming — or at least cautiously allowing — pot shops in long-vacant spaces. While voters in many U.S. states have overwhelmingly approved marijuana decriminalization, downtowns wrestle with a regulatory wrinkle: Even as pot shops multiply, marijuana remains…Continue reading
Economic developers in Dubuque, IA, conduct in-depth interviews with more than 300 employers every year. Their goal is to learn what employers are concerned about, and what challenges they face. The full-court press endeavors to keep jobs from leaving Dubuque — and the hands-on strategy is part of the reason some have labeled this riverfront…Continue reading
Nonprofit leadership is one of the biggest and most challenging jobs anyone can ever love. While the work itself is normally straightforward, the issues, relationships, competing priorities, and environment constantly change, and the constant scarcity of resources demands passion, focus, and leadership. The Executive Director’s Guide to… Continue reading
Outdoor seating has been an indicator of vibrancy in the Philadelphia Center City District since sidewalk cafes were first authorized in 1995. The district says that the benefits of outdoor seating are many, “For restaurants, cafĂ©s and retail establishments, outdoor seating is good for business, expanding capacity and serving as an invitation for passersby to…To read more — login/subscribe
Roger Brooks of the Destination Development Association offers three tips for managing stress during trying times: Stay upbeat. This crisis eventually will pass, and while the virus is deadly for some, most people who contract the virus have only minor symptoms. Limit your intake. The news is overwhelming. You need to be informed, but you…To read more — login/subscribe
The Downtown Lincoln Association started the holiday shopping season early with the 12th Annual Shop the Blocks promotion on Thursday, November 21 from 4:30 to 9:30 a.m. Shop the Blocks is a ticketed event. Guests pay $7 in advance or $10 on the day of the event. An “all access pass” includes: In-store discounts at…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Employee Appreciation Week in Wausau, WI, includes an adult ball pit, the world’s largest coffee break, DIY workshops, an ice cream social, and a succulent bar. The event, now in its fourth year, is dedicated to thanking downtown employees and introducing them to downtown amenities that they may not be familiar with. “This week…To read more — login/subscribe
A surface parking lot in the West End Historic District of downtown Dallas will soon be replaced with a modern new green space. Called West End Square, the park will include a number of features to encourage gathering for active and passive recreation as well as for work. The design includes a steel trellis and…To read more — login/subscribe
Walkable streetscapes and new mobility options are in demand, but there’s a dark side to U.S. traffic statistics. Nationwide pedestrian deaths rose in 2019 to their highest level in three decades, even as the nation’s roadway crash fatalities overall have been falling, according to a new report. Some 6,590 pedestrians died after being struck by…To read more — login/subscribe
