In January, Smyrna, GA (est. pop. 56,628), approved the sale of nearly an acre of downtown land to brewery owners — but only after a long fight. The city council voted 5-2 to let the Downtown Development Authority sell 0.94 acres of undeveloped property to StillFire Brewing for $600,000. StillFire, which operates a brewery in…To read more — login/subscribe
Champaign, IL (est. pop. 89,116), has a problem: Downtown has become a bustling destination on warm-weather weekends. But the city police department is so short-staffed that it can’t handle the inevitable calls for service that flow from the nighttime entertainment district. So the city of Champaign will spend nearly $330,000 to hire a private security…To read more — login/subscribe
In Redding, CA (est. pop. 92,958), a new venture has brought together 18 small shops in one location. Called Gather Downtown, it’s not quite a business incubator, not quite an antiques mart or a food hall. Instead, it’s a middle ground, an initiative that both fills vacant space and nurtures entrepreneurs. “We wanted to put…To read more — login/subscribe
Northampton, MA. Northampton, MA, is working through an overhaul of zoning rules that would bring a form-based code to downtown and an adjacent neighborhood. It’s a step that’s gaining popularity nationwide as proponents of "missing middle" housing call for more flexibility in the types of property uses cities allow in and near downtowns — and…Continue reading
The City of Santa Monica, CA, acted quickly to make it easier for new and existing businesses to open as the city recovers from the pandemic. “We’re creating opportunities and eliminating barriers for existing and new businesses alike, while retaining the thoughtful process that protects our community values,” says Mayor Kevin McKeown. The changes will…To read more — login/subscribe
Little Haddonfield, NJ (est. pop. 11,428), was founded in the 18th century, and the downtown’s vibe harkens back to the early 20th century. “It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting,” says Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt of Suasion Communications Group, downtown Haddonfield’s public relations firm. But historic Haddonfield has turned to a decidedly postmodern way to market its downtown:…To read more — login/subscribe
As downtown leaders brace for another hot summer, many Sun Belt cities are taking pains to provide a little extra shade for residents who use public buses. In Las Vegas, the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada has been looking for ways to build shade structures at bus stops. “Providing a little bit of shade…To read more — login/subscribe
Americans are embracing electric vehicles, but public charging networks haven’t kept pace with the interest from motorists. This is true in downtowns nationwide — some have built robust charging networks, but many are trying to catch up. If you’re looking for funding for EV charging stations, here’s a bit of good news: The Bipartisan Infrastructure…To read more — login/subscribe
One downtown has dealt with a crush of Uber and Lyft drivers by directing the vehicles into designated rideshare hubs. Before the coronavirus shutdowns silenced downtown Orlando, FL (est. pop. 285,705), city officials say designating locations for drivers to pick up downtown patrons improved traffic flow during the late-night rush hour when bars closed and…To read more — login/subscribe
Making Business Districts Work is the essential reference for downtown professionals and board members. It is unique in that it covers nearly all aspects of leading and managing downtown and community development organizations, from planning and implementing programs and policies, to evaluating successes and failures. It presents… Continue reading
