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
Traditional economic development strategies focus on wooing corporations, the larger the better. But it makes more sense to focus on homegrown businesses, says Matthew Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at the National Main Street Center. “It’s really about shifting our economic development focus to one of cultivating human capital rather than business recruitment,” Wagner…To read more — login/subscribe
When St. Petersburg, FL (est. pop. 265,358), installed a gay pride streetscape in 2020, it started something of a trend in the Sunshine State. City officials in Delray Beach (est. pop. 69,449) liked the concept so much that they copied it. So did Boynton Beach (est. pop. 78,690). Inspired by St. Petersburg’s streetscape — a…To read more — login/subscribe
As Americans become more focused on fitness and the environment, commuters, as well as recreationalists, are learning the value of pedal power. As a result, projects to boost bike-centric amenities in city centers are flourishing. This month Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter looks at bike share programs, making way for bikes on city-center streets, and facilities for…Continue reading
The nationwide housing shortage has spurred many downtowns to remove parking minimums. It’s a shift that encourages development by reducing the costs of new housing while also promising to make communities more pedestrian-friendly. California recently abolished minimum parking requirements for new real estate development projects near public transit. La Mesa, CA (est. pop. 61,040), is…To read more — login/subscribe
The renovation of a handful of highly-visible homes is being cited as a driver of the economic turnaround in Millinocket, ME. The Northern Forest Center launched the Millinocket Housing Initiative in 2017 with the goal of renovating 10 properties and providing housing options for staff at nearby Millinocket Regional Hospital. As of October, the initiative…To read more — login/subscribe
Providing incubator space for start-up businesses is a trend that will grow stronger as those first start-ups attain independence and fill downtown vacancies, says Michael Burayidi, in an article in the May issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter. Burayidi, chair of the Ball State University Department of Urban Planning, notes that, "What will help in…Continue reading
A new mural trail being created in Stockton, CA, is strategically designed to encourage people to take selfies and share them on social media. The project will eventually feature 15 giant "postcards" at sites intended to draw pedestrians through the city center while also providing education about local history and culture. "People don’t really buy…Continue reading
Just over a year ago, Racine, WI, resident Dustan Balcom started the Facebook page, Ask me why I love Racine, for people to share what they love about the beleaguered city where they live and work. The next step in his campaign was to convert a downtown construction enclosure into a giant chalkboard where people…Continue reading
Just six hours after the Downtown Dayton Partnership in Dayton, OH (est. pop. 140,638), unveiled a gift card promotion, the cards had sold out. It was a rare glimmer of good news in an otherwise-difficult time both for downtowns and for brick-and-mortar retailers. Downtowns across the country tried similar promotions and reported robust results. Dayton’s…To read more — login/subscribe
