Attracting retail to the city center is easier with staff dedicated to that mission. In York, PA, a creative funding solution has allowed Downtown Inc. to hire a recruitment specialist, and retailers are moving downtown. “We are a 28-year-old Main Street organization and BID so we are sort of a hybrid, which affords us a…Continue reading
In an effort to breathe new life into downtown districts nationwide, two U.S. Senators and three Representatives introduced the Revitalizing Downtowns Act. The bill — which is supported by the International Downtown Association and by three dozen smaller downtown organizations — was sponsored by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D—MI) and Gary Peters (D—MI) and Reps. Jimmy…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to balance sidewalk safety, downtown aesthetics, and small business owners’ desire to increase outreach to customers, many communities are re-examining portable signage ordinances. Because digital signage has become more affordable, it is also increasing in popularity and must be taken into consideration when drafting new regulations. The February issue of Downtown Idea…Continue reading
As economic engines, restaurants don’t get a lot of respect. Eateries pay paltry wages to generally low-skilled workers, and dining establishments are notorious for their high rate of failure. And yet, try finding a thriving downtown that doesn’t boast good restaurants. “Restaurants are extremely valuable to cities,” Andrew Salkin, a founding principal of the nonprofit…To read more — login/subscribe
“Live music, kayak clubs, kid-friendly events, close the street happenings, and experiences.” That’s just one of the many resident suggestions for activities in the new town square in downtown Riverside, NY. The city has acquired several underused parcels and is working to create a new town square with direct access to the nearby Piconic River.…To read more — login/subscribe
The paths to walkability are as diverse as the cities that implement them, and include upgrades to alleyways that provide additional pedestrian connectivity, pedestrian-friendly sidewalk design, centering development around public transit, and more. One community that has made great strides in enhancing walkability is Bethesda, MD. The work extended to downtown alleyways, some of which…Continue reading
Ben Shardlow, director of urban design at the Mpls Downtown Improvement District, acknowledges that he’s a bit jealous of other downtowns, at least when it comes to their lush tree canopies. "You go to some cities, and it seems like the trees just leap out of the ground," Shardlow says. That’s not the case in…Continue reading
Independent retailers have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic. Jef Buehler, head of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Neighborhood Preservation Program, offers a workaround: Merchants can find ways to share costs and space with other organizations. Buehler points to a store in Frenchtown, NJ (est. pop. 1,464). Frenchtown Home Hardware & Outdoors partnered with…To read more — login/subscribe
May 14, 2020 — In Kennesaw, GA, a downtown cemetery is no longer just a final resting place. The Kennesaw City Cemetery, an eight-acre space that opened in 1863, is being transformed into a greenspace and recreation area. Under a plan approved unanimously by the city council in 2019, the graveyard will host fun runs,…Continue reading
San Diego’s North Park neighborhood was built in the 1920s. In the 2020s, it’s turning into a hub for high-end food, microbrews, and other hallmarks of urban affluence. The Urban Land Institute calls the neighborhood the “Brooklyn of San Diego.” The commercial district is filled with yoga studios and fitness centers. There’s an independent bookstore,…To read more — login/subscribe
