In Wichita, KS, city officials are making big changes to the downtown parking system — increasing hourly rates and fines, reducing the amount of free parking, upgrading parking meters, and tightening up enforcement. Despite some push-back, Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson says that the changes are necessary for the overall health of the downtown. He…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
How one downtown is balancing outdoor drinking with family friendliness — The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association pushed for the state’s relaxation of alcohol laws, and cities jumped on board. Kannapolis has already approved a downtown social district. Wilmington and Charlotte are considering it. See the West Avenue Social District Maintenance and Operations Plan.
...Downtown invests in ultramodern bathroom — Public restrooms pose a conundrum in downtowns everywhere. If you want to welcome visitors, you need clean commodes. But many a public washroom has been commandeered for uses that may make visitors uncomfortable. Read an archive article on public restroom solutions. ...
After five years, locally made branding campaign still hanging on — Back in 2016, New Haven, CT, launched a campaign to market locally produced goods by giving products a distinctive logo and promoting them under the Made in New Haven brand. Read an archive article on the launch of the Made in New Haven program. ...
The Office of Arts, Culture and Tourism in New Haven, CT, is using art to fill downtown vacancies and revitalize neighborhoods while also transforming would-be entrepreneurs from hobbyists to small business owners. The department looked at models of how art addresses the issues of vacancy and revitalization in other cities, and found pop-ups interesting, but…Continue reading
Office conversions are having a moment — the topic is the subject of news stories, webinars, and conference sessions. With office space experiencing heightened levels of vacancy and housing units very much in demand, the concept of repurposing underused office space to in-demand residential space is a compelling one. But an office-to-residential conversion is not…Continue reading
As cities try to return to normal, one small but important task stands out: Public transportation must be clean enough that workers and residents feel comfortable getting back on buses, trolleys, and trains. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the daily cleaning of subway cars in New York City. “When people get into the…To read more — login/subscribe
A new initiative in Gardiner, ME, is encouraging businesses with a proven track record in other communities to open new downtown locations. Two years of planning and consideration went into the program design, which is being hailed as, “a model for redevelopment efforts” statewide. Businesses accepted into the program are eligible for a number of…Continue reading
“Confronting our most pressing challenges requires the hope and fortitude of an entire community,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek when announcing the recommendations of the Portland Central City Task Force in December. The recommendations focused on addressing crime, homelessness, trash, and tax issues that create barriers to doing business in Portland. The task force brings…To read more — login/subscribe
How to keep your organization afloat in tough times — Many organizations were blindsided by the suddenness and severity of the downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. To help coach downtown leaders through the turmoil, the International Downtown Association (IDA) and Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) collaborated on a game plan that spells out steps to take in the coming weeks and months. See the full list of suggestions for stabilizing and then reviving your downtown.
...Your downtown tenants are in danger; here’s how to help them — The coronavirus pandemic could permanently close millions of small businesses, including some that occupy storefronts in your downtown, according to a report by Main Street America. ...
In a sad reality for downtown leaders, pedestrian deaths keep rising — 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 report released in late February by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit that represents state highway-safety offices. ...
New park, new uses — 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. Watch the video below and take a virtual tour. https://youtu.be/8oWJvbjgHTM ...
In Avon, IL (est. pop. 614), one couple has invested their life savings in the once-moribund Main Street. In Havana, IL (est. pop. 3,197), a public investment has spurred a spate of new life projects in a downtown that had been fading fast. The two comeback stories are part of a nationwide revival of downtowns…To read more — login/subscribe
