Several new businesses planned to open in Somerset, OH (est. pop. 1,728), this year after getting a boost from a local entrepreneurial program. The village named the winner and three runners up for its second Pop-Up Business Competition.The winners include a vintage home decor store, an outdoor tour service, a health drink and retail store,…To read more — login/subscribe
In Wilmington, DE (est. pop. 70,164), two long-vacant lots are part of the Wilmington Alliance’s Vacant to Vibrant initiative. The economic development organization aims to provide much-needed green space, stabilize a marginalized downtown neighborhood, and empower residents to engage in the planning process. The project was anything but easy, writes Laura Semmelroth, director of creative…To read more — login/subscribe
For decades, a former furniture store and warehouse in downtown Swainsboro, GA (est. pop. 7,396), sat empty. Now it’s a thriving hub that’s home to an antique mall and a gallery featuring local artists. Swainsboro’s project won praise for activating a long-vacant space. The turnaround was spurred when the city bought the property and completed…To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Mesquite, TX (est. pop. 142,874), positions itself as a destination for authentic local flavor. But the small business owners who contribute to the historic heart of the city don’t always have a sophisticated grasp of business management or how to tap into the resources that will help them succeed. To address this reality head-on,…To read more — login/subscribe
In 2017 Buffalo, NY (est. pop. 255,300), became the first U.S. city to stop requiring developers to include a minimum amount of parking in new projects. Other cities followed, including Hartford, CT, and Santa Monica, CA. As the idea gains momentum, two researchers from the University of Buffalo wanted to know what happens when a…To read more — login/subscribe
In Madison, WI (est. pop. 259,673), a new program will provide a financial safety net for food cart operators doing business in public parks. In Fort Collins, CO (est. pop. 170,245), an initiative will sponsor asphalt art in neglected neighborhoods. The two programs are among the winners of the latest round of pandemic-recovery grants from…To read more — login/subscribe
Many cities set downtown parking rates and then forget about them for years. A few of the largest cities have embarked on ambitious parking plans that rely on wireless sensors and real-time data to adjust prices throughout the day. Seattle (est. pop. 724,764) chose a middle route. The city carefully studies parking patterns and then…To read more — login/subscribe
Toccoa, GA (est. pop. 8,328), boasts a thriving downtown and a bustling historic theater. It has even carved out a niche as a setting for filmmakers looking for an iconic courtroom and Main Street. The turnaround came only after the rural town decided to tear up a downtown pedestrian mall, and to remove the ugly…To read more — login/subscribe
During the Great Recession, Danville, VA (est. pop. 42,556), had fallen on such hard times that it was unclear if downtown could ever bounce back. “Our downtown completely died,” says Diana Schwartz, executive director of Danville’s River District Association. “Our entire community died.” No one was living downtown. The inventory of vacant commercial space stretched…To read more — login/subscribe
