Like many downtowns, Santa Monica, CA (est. pop. 89,951), has been beset by complaints about public safety and challenged by an exodus of retail tenants. As homelessness and drug use became more prominent in recent years, one building owner placed a sign on a vacant storefront on Third Street Promenade that read “Santa Monica Is…To read more — login/subscribe
The Hollywood Partnership is about to open the famed neighborhood’s first public restroom. The facility, going into an empty space in a building owned by the city Department of Transportation, is being funded with $1.5 million from the Los Angeles mayor’s office. The concept got some pushback from neighbors. “Property owners sometimes have the belief…To read more — login/subscribe
For many 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. They hold strong appeal for audiences — there’s no cover charge, the entertainment options are broad, and tipping is optional. The August issue…Continue reading
Perhaps no city illustrates the challenge of downtown leadership as vividly as San Jose, CA. On the one hand, the city is the center of Silicon Valley, an affluent region where the typical home sells for $1.4 million and median family income is nearly $170,000. On the other, downtown has a problem with homelessness, and…To read more — login/subscribe
In Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, several organizations and the city have come together to position the downtown for reopening. "Over the years, we’ve had different groups working on the revitalization and development of downtown," says Andrew Malcolm, urban revitalization manager for the city. "We felt that we could be more successful in promoting the amazing things…Continue reading
Bike share, e-scooters, and other micromobility vehicles are growing in popularity across North America — fully 157 million trips were recorded in the U.S. and Canada in 2023, according to a new analysis by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). NACTO’s Shared Micromobility in the U.S. and Canada: 2023 report finds record-breaking ridership…To read more — login/subscribe
In Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, several organizations and the city have come together to position the downtown for reopening. “Over the years, we’ve had different groups working on the revitalization and development of downtown,” says Andrew Malcolm, City of Lethbridge, urban revitalization manager. “We felt that we could be more successful in promoting the amazing things…To read more — login/subscribe
Rather than regulating chains, city imposes limits on the width of storefronts — The “storefront conservation corridor” in St. Petersburg, FL, offers an unusual approach to regulating retailers in two busy business districts. Rather than limiting chains or banning them outright, the city created new rules that define storefronts based on the width of their street-level facades.
...New 5G equipment creates conflict in downtowns — Mirroring a national pushback against the new generation of “small-cell” wireless antennas, officials in Whitefish, MT, aren’t keen about the prospects of new devices popping up in a downtown known for its mountain vistas and buildings that date to 1919. See a National League of Cities report about 5G antennas. ...
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
…Thriving as a Nonprofit Leader brings you a new perspective and new tools for leadership. This revised edition includes thoroughly updated information and new content. It covers timely issues and practical strategies including: avoiding burnout, accountability, professional networking, financial literacy, measuring effectiveness, and much more. Ideal for executive… Continue reading
