In Tucson, AZ (est. pop. 545,987), and Boston, shared kitchens have attracted dozens of entrepreneurs who run catering businesses and food trucks. The concept is taking off nationally, in big cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta and smaller cities like Shreveport, LA, Harrison, MI, and Loveland, CO, where community kitchens act as incubators…To read more — login/subscribe
President Joe Biden has unveiled a policy designed to spur conversions of empty commercial buildings to residential use. The plan calls for public financing of office-to-residential projects, the sale of some federal properties, and targeted tax incentives. “Office and commercial vacancies across the country are affecting urban downtowns and rural main streets,” the White House…To read more — login/subscribe
In little Bucksport, ME (est. pop. 2,682), the closing of a paper mill in 2014 led to a round of soul searching. “That mill had really defined our community and defined our downtown for 80 years,” says Brook Minner, head of Main Street Bucksport. Bucksport has just one stoplight on its main street, and the…To read more — login/subscribe
Macomb, IL (est. pop. 15,207), is a little city whose leaders freely admit it’s in the middle of nowhere. These days, they’re making a big claim: The downtown is now home to the world’s largest Monopoly board. In May, downtown leaders unveiled the completed Macombopoly. The project is a nod to Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie, a…To read more — login/subscribe
…illustrated and include photos and measured plans and elevation schematics that demonstrate how the street works. Cases are largely based on examples from North America but also include notable examples from around the world. Best practices. Based on the case studies and the authors’ work, the best practices section describes… Continue reading
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
Turn-key inflatables When it comes to radically changing the downtown streetscape, it doesn’t get much lighter, quicker, or cheaper than temporary installations of inflatables. Turn-key event producers offer giant waterslides, obstacle courses, and even public art installations. In February, Osuna Park in Peoria, AZ, welcomed the illuminated and inflatable “Light at Play: An Interactive Art…To read more — login/subscribe
In Chandler, AZ (est. pop. 261,149), city officials are combatting the coronavirus downturn by marketing local businesses to consumers. An “I Choose Chandler” video ad reminds viewers that the city’s restaurants, gyms, clothing boutiques, and barbershops are open for business. The spot takes a subtle dig at online retailers, and the campaign urges local residents…To read more — login/subscribe
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
…turns her attention to researching current and potential visitors and how to reach them with social media and content marketing. This thoroughly researched book presents important ideas and techniques in a very readable format. Equally important, it puts the complex job of tourism marketing within reach for any community…. Continue reading
