A decade ago, the downtown organization in Sioux Falls, SD (est. pop. 196,528), was looking for a way to boost business during January. Downtown Sioux Falls decided to try Burger Battle, a month-long contest that pitted downtown restaurants in a competition to create the best new burger. Participating eateries debuted a new burger, and diners…To read more — login/subscribe
The summer kicked off with record-breaking heat across much of the U.S. In the Southwest and Southeast, the “feels-like” temperatures soared well above 100 degrees in July. For downtown leaders, the oppressive temperatures complicated plans for outdoor events — and they served as a reminder that cities need to start planning for intense heat. While…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
The coronavirus pandemic proved devastating for many downtowns. But now that the world has resumed traveling, dining out, and — to a lesser extent — working from offices, downtowns are experiencing a revival. This latest shift in consumer behavior presents both a challenge and an opportunity, says Steve Chandler, a brand strategist and owner of…To read more — login/subscribe
Michigan City, IN (est. pop. 31,983), used a simple solution to address challenges with its homeless population: The city removed downtown park benches from sidewalks and moved them into storage. Problem solved? Not exactly. While the tactic does encourage problem residents to move on, taking away public seating doesn’t address the underlying causes of homelessness.…To read more — login/subscribe
In Wheeling, WV (est. pop. 27,066), a creative twist on a business plan contest has paid dividends in the form of downtown occupancy. Wheeling Heritage uses a community crowd-funding event to vet business ideas for downtown storefronts. The winning entrants get money to put toward their business concepts. The event, known as Show of Hands,…To read more — login/subscribe
Public libraries, a staple of many downtowns, have scrambled to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. While many of the nation’s 16,000-plus libraries had closed their doors to foot traffic by late March, they sought out other ways to keep serving their communities. For instance, the American Library Association (ALA) urged members to keep their wireless…To read more — login/subscribe
Vicksburg Main Street was prepared for a big night when a mini-disaster struck. Hours before hundreds of conference-goers were coming to an evening shopping event in Vicksburg, MS (est. pop. 22,961), a water pipe broke on Washington Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. “The street was dug up,” says Kim Hopkins, head of Vicksburg Main Street.…To read more — login/subscribe
