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Articles by Michael E. DeWitt
Lessons From a Downtown Plan
In Durham, NC, Downtown Durham Inc. has developed a 10-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening the downtown economy while preserving its historic character and making the district more accessible and affordable to residents and businesses. Known as Blueprint 2035, the wide-ranging plan was unveiled and adopted by the city council in 2025. Four strategies emerged from the planning process, which offer lessons for every community. Strategy 1.
Unique Event Sets Downtown Apart
The annual garage racing championship in Arlington, VA, has grown into the National Landing BID’s longest-running signature event. Instead of closing downtown streets for a traditional cycling competition, organizers create a course spanning two levels of a parking garage. The ramps, tight corners, and changes in elevation become obstacles that test riders’ technical skills.
City Investigates Potential for Downtown Housing
Heart of Ellsworth, in Ellsworth, ME, has launched an initiative to increase downtown housing by activating underutilized spaces. The project is a partnership between Heart of Ellsworth, the City of Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth Public Library. The Mid-Coast Board of Realtors is also contributing expertise and a $5,000 grant to hire a consultant to assess downtown properties and identify specific opportunities for upper-floor housing.
Live updates from Alex Murdaugh back in court for retrial hearing
A South Carolina judge is holding a critical hearing Friday, Oct. 16, in a battle over "discovery" evidence and technical forensics that will likely shape the next chapters of one of the English-speaking world's most intensely followed murder cases.
Live updates from Alex Murdaugh back in court for retrial hearing
11:00 am ET 'I don't want this tit-for-tat, back and forth' Michael DeWitt The discussion has now turned to FARO scan data from the Moselle crime scene, as Harpootlian began arguing that he had asked the judge to make Waters sit down, at which point the judge scolded both of them. "Y'all need to stop this. This has got to stop. I don't want this tit-for-tat, back-and-forth.
Live updates from Alex Murdaugh back in court for retrial hearing
They keep asking for it again As Judge McCaslin went down the list of evidence requests in the defense motions, paragraph by paragraph, and asked the defense, " Do you have it or not? The State keeps saying Yes, we have provided this for the first trial, but they keep asking for it again. 'This trial is going April 5, whether you like it or not…' Another point of contention is the defense repeatedly asking for evidence that the State says it already turned over to the defense.
Car-Free Zone Wins Praise from Business Community
For the past two summers, Vancouver, BC, Canada, has piloted a pedestrian zone in the city’s Gastown district. The zone operated on Sundays from June through August. The pilot tested changes to traffic circulation, cycling infrastructure, public seating, patio spaces, shared market stalls, and programming such as a public disco, flower market, and art battle. A comprehensive review of visitor and business-owner impressions shows that the zone was well received by both groups.
Busker Festivals Provide Unique Attraction Opportunity
Lewiston, ME, kicked off a successful busking festival in 2025. And in Lawrence, KS, and Burlington, VT, busker fests have been going strong for two decades. Buskers are street performers who toil for tips. Bringing them together in one downtown at one time can provide a low-budget way to fill an event schedule and downtown streets. The busker festival in Great Barrington, MA, started in 2021 and has grown to the point that performers entertain visitors 10 weekends each summer.
Idea Exchange - Downtown Development Center
City investigates potential for downtown housing Heart of Ellsworth, in Ellsworth, Maine, has launched a downtown housing project aimed at increasing housing availability by activating underutilized spaces in the city center. The project is a partnership between Heart of Ellsworth, the City of Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth Public Library. TheTo read more — login/subscribe
Low-cost hacks for programming public spaces
Programming gives life to public places and is an essential component of making them great. Fortunately many spaces can be activated with small, inexpensive programs. Errin Welty, senior downtown development director at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. is a proponent of these modest initiatives. “Creative, small-scale placemaking strategies can haveTo read more — login/subscribe
Overflowing trash bins prompt new plan
In Traverse City, MI (est. pop. 15,593), downtown trash bins were overflowing early in the summer — so much so that visitors took to Facebook to post photos and wonder what downtown leaders were thinking. That embarrassment led the Downtown Development Authority, the City of Traverse City, and trash collectionTo read more — login/subscribe
Seven ways a scorching city is making streets more comfortable
Downtowns everywhere are dealing with rising temperatures and intensifying urban heat islands. Nowhere is the issue more acute than Phoenix, the hottest major metropolis in the United States. With the mercury above 100 throughout the summer months, Phoenix officials are taking steps to turn down the heat. The city launchedTo read more — login/subscribe
Paying for new residents shows mixed results
During the pandemic, slow-growing cities in overlooked regions seized on a new way to foster population growth: Paying remote workers to move to town. Topeka, KS (est. pop. 125,475), and Tulsa, OK (est. pop. 413,652), are trying it. So are Newton, IA (est. pop. 15,700), and Neodesha, KS (est. pop.To read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Idea Exchange, October 2026
Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Telephone: (973) 265-2300, Fax: (973) 402-6056 Website:DowntownDevelopment.com Email:info@DowntownDevelopment.com
Busker festivals provide unique attraction opportunity
In Great Barrington, MA (est. pop. 2,331), a six-year-old busker event has gained enough momentum that the host organization has created its own nonprofit and wants to replicate the model elsewhere. Lewiston, ME (est. pop. 38,324), kicked off a busking festival in 2025 that proved successful. And in Lawrence, KSTo read more — login/subscribe
After Early Success, City Expands Downtown Storefront Grants
In Chattanooga, TN, a program to encourage merchants to update downtown storefronts has seen strong early results. The nonprofit River City Company’s Scenic Storefronts program launched in November 2025 with $500,000 in funding from the Chattanooga City Council. To date, the program has spurred millions in new investment and more than 75 jobs, says Sarah Mattson, senior director of economic development for River City Company.
Downtown Idea Exchange, September 2026
Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Telephone: (973) 265-2300, Fax: (973) 402-6056 Website:DowntownDevelopment.com Email:info@DowntownDevelopment.com
Mountain Town Uses Public Pianos, Xylophones to Create Fun Vibe
Visit Main Street in Littleton, NH, and you’re likely to hear people playing pianos set up along Main Street sidewalks. Head a block from Main Street and you’ll find public xylophones installed at Harmony Park along the Ammonoosuc Riverwalk. Littleton’s experiment with outdoor instruments as a placemaking tool has endured. While many downtowns have tested temporary installations of public pianos, Littleton has kept the tradition alive for more than 15 years.
After early success, city expands downtown storefront grants
In Chattanooga, TN (est. pop. 191,495), a program to incentivize merchants to update downtown storefronts has seen strong early results. Oui Oui Boulangerie used a grant to add a festive awning. Sully’s Crepe Co. added outdoor seating with an umbrella and planters. Scoop Around Ice Cream Bar installed a freshTo read more — login/subscribe
Mountain town uses public pianos, xylophones to create fun vibe
Visit Main Street in Littleton, NH (est. pop. 4,114), and you’re likely to hear people playing pianos set up along Main Street sidewalks. Head a block from Main Street and you’ll find public xylophones installed at Harmony Park along the Ammonoosuc Riverwalk. Littleton’s experiment with outdoor instruments as a placemakingTo read more — login/subscribe
Downtown festival loses federal funding, keeps going anyway
The Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell, MA (est. pop. 120,418), hosted its 39th annual event this summer. Tens of thousands of visitors filled the streets to hear blues, country, rock, and rap music. Organizers have kept going despite setbacks such as the National Endowment for the Arts’ decision in 2025To read more — login/subscribe
Idea Exchange - Downtown Development Center
Road diet for Main Street According to crash statistics from the Oregon Department of Transportation, the accident rate on Main Street in downtown Baker City is higher than average for streets with comparable traffic volumes. From 2015 to 2025, the city saw 47 crashes, including 14 rear-end collisions. In response,To read more — login/subscribe
Combating pet waste in the city center
Downtown Reno, NV, is tackling a messy problem that many downtowns face. With more and more people calling downtown home, there’s been an increase in pet waste. A new campaign from the Downtown Reno Partnership is providing education and resources to keep city streets clean. The campaign includes humorous signs,To read more — login/subscribe
$17 million renovation helps reimagine public space
The area known as Lock 3 in downtown Akron, OH (est. pop. 189,669), has gone through many evolutions. It was once a working canal lock on the Ohio and Erie Canal. The site later became a lumber yard, then a toy factory that burned down in 1904, and eventually aTo read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Idea Exchange, September 2026
Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Telephone: (973) 265-2300, Fax: (973) 402-6056 Website:DowntownDevelopment.com Email:info@DowntownDevelopment.com
BIA Expands Use of Surveillance Cameras
Despite growing public concern about Flock Safety cameras, some communities are ramping up use of surveillance cameras downtown. As part of the Strengthen the Core downtown revitalization master plan, the City of Windsor, Ont., Canada launched Project Greenlight in May. The project will see the installation of green-light cameras on as many as 90 businesses throughout the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Area. Initially, the cost will be shared by property owners and the city.
Downtown Replaces Signals with All-Way Stop Signs
In an effort to make downtown safer and more attractive, Louisville, KY, is replacing downtown stop lights with stop signs. The move is part of a larger plan that includes returning one-way streets to two-way, removing excess lanes, and adding parking and bike lanes. The plan was presented at the Downtown Louisville Partnership’s State of Downtown meeting in July.
Volunteers Take on Many Roles Downtown
Volunteers are an essential part of every downtown organization. They offer essential insight, credibility, and capacity. However, finding great volunteers, creating meaningful work, and keeping them on board can be a challenge. Despite the obstacles, well-trained and managed volunteers can make a significant contribution.
Approving a Social District
In many cities, public drinking areas have been approved quickly and with little debate. In Waynesville, NC, the effort took years. Many residents expressed concerns about public drunkenness, crime, and an erosion of Waynesville’s image as a family-friendly destination. A combination of temporary programs, public meetings, and resident and business owner surveys paved the way to establishing permanent social districts in June.
Last-mile delivery program takes big trucks off cramped streets
In downtown Breckenridge, CO (est. pop. 4,959), the streets are narrow, the snowfall is plentiful, and the bars and restaurants are bustling. All of that leads to a not-so-great-outcome when it comes to downtown walkability—during ski season, delivery trucks and pedestrians compete for space on icy streets and sidewalks. What’sTo read more — login/subscribe
After four years of debate, downtown finally approves social district
In many cities, public drinking areas have been approved quickly and with little debate. In Waynesville, NC (est. pop. 10,502), the effort took years. During the pandemic, North Carolina joined the wave of states that embraced outdoor drinking as a way to bring people back to struggling downtowns. In 2021,To read more — login/subscribe
Revamped plaza supports downtown placemaking
In little Cape Charles, VA (est. pop. 1,201), the Strawberry Street Plaza has been a centerpiece of downtown for nearly a decade. Created in 2017, the open-air plaza sits at the center of town with a clear view of the Cape Charles Harbor and connections to shops and restaurants alongTo read more — login/subscribe
Lessons from Austin’s high-profile struggle with homelessness
In 2019, Austin, TX (est. pop. 993,771), passed an ordinance decriminalizing homelessness. The move sparked a political firestorm.Austin’s new regulation inspired an advocate to distribute bright orange tents to the city’s homeless population, and seemingly overnight, unhoused people were camping out in full view. Everyone from Austin residents to TexasTo read more — login/subscribe
Volunteers take on many roles downtown
Volunteers are an essential part of every downtown organization. They offer essential insight, credibility, and capacity. However finding great volunteers, creating meaningful work, and keeping them on board can be a challenge.Despite the obstacles, well trained and managed volunteers can contribute to everything from committee work, to staffing a “FacadeTo read more — login/subscribe
Idea Exchange - Downtown Development Center
Downtown replaces signals with all-way stop signs Downtown Louisville, KY, is replacing some stop lights with stop signs in an effort to make downtown safer and more attractive. The move is part of a larger plan which will also include: reverting one-way streets to two-way, removing excess lanes, and addingTo read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Idea Exchange, August 2026
Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Telephone: (973) 265-2300, Fax: (973) 402-6056 Website:DowntownDevelopment.com Email:info@DowntownDevelopment.com
Taking Delivery Trucks Off Downtown Streets
In downtown Breckenridge, CO, the streets are narrow, the snowfall is plentiful, and the bars and restaurants are bustling. All of that leads to a not-so-great outcome when it comes to downtown walkability — during ski season, delivery trucks and pedestrians compete for space on icy streets and sidewalks.
Downtown Influencer Programs Remain Strong
Hiring local (micro) influencers can drive tourism, increase foot traffic, and build the downtown brand. Because followers trust local creators, their recommendations translate into highly engaged audiences that are primed to visit restaurants, shops, and downtown events. A handful of micro-influencers who reach a few thousand people in meaningful ways can have a big impact with little or no cost. Downtown Durham is using a social media ambassador program.
Celebrating the Holidays Downtown
Holiday activities transform commercial districts into vibrant destinations, encouraging residents to shop, dine, and spend locally. Some of the most important elements in a holiday celebration are festive decorations, enticing shop windows, and a wide range of unique and tempting gifts. To fill vacant storefronts and add to the range of holiday shopping, many downtowns turn to pop-up shops. In Colorado Springs, CO, the Downtown Partnership has run a holiday pop-up program for many years.
Capitalizing on Events in the News
Eleven major cities in the United States are hosting FIFA World Cup matches during June and July, and downtown leaders are taking advantage of the excitement from both locals and waves of free-spending visitors. Eight matches are scheduled to be contested at MetLife Stadium in Newark, NJ, where the Newark Downtown Alliance is promoting more than 200 events.
Downtown group devotes large loan to office-to-residential plan
The Downtown Denver Development Authority is making a big bet on an ambitious plan to turn vacant office buildings into bustling residential towers. In March, the quasi-governmental entity approved a $63 million loan for transforming two downtown properties into apartments. It’s the largest loan ever issued by the Denver Downtown DevelopmentTo read more — login/subscribe
Making the most of events in the news
Eleven major cities in the United States are hosting FIFA World Cup matches during June and July, and downtown leaders are taking advantage of the excitement from bothlocals and waves of free-spending visitors.Los Angeles, for instance, is operating 10 localized Fan Zones, including massive events at Union Station and aTo read more — login/subscribe
Downtown sculpture program engages residents, boosts city’s image
Each spring, four sculptors from around the world arrive in Nashua, NH (est. pop. 91,850), to create four pieces of public art.In 2025, sculptors from France, Germany, South Korea, and the United States arrived at the Picker Artists studio building, where they set up shop outside and chipped away atTo read more — login/subscribe
Bringing sports fans downtown, ideas from the Newark Alliance
To encourage local groups to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime event, the Newark Downtown Alliance created a community engagement toolkit for the 2026 World Cup.The toolkit includes simple ways to tap into the “global energy” of the tournament.But these ideas will also help downtown leaders tap into local, regional,To read more — login/subscribe
City launches loan program to spur commercial redevelopment
Greensboro, NC (est. pop. 307,372), has launched RISE Infill, a loan program that partners with private lenders to redevelop underused commercial properties, renovate vacant or aging buildings, and invest in mixed-use projects.Launched in May 2026, RISE Infill is the first initiative associated with the city’s broader RISE framework, intended to coordinate economic developmentTo read more — login/subscribe
Celebrating the holidays downtown
Holiday activities transform commercial districts into vibrant destinations, encouraging residents to shop, dine, and spend locally.Some of the most important elements in a holiday celebration are festive decorations, enticing shop windows, and a wide range of unique and tempting gifts. Here’s how a range of downtowns are making the seasonTo read more — login/subscribe
Idea Exchange - Downtown Development Center
Downtown glow up reduces summertime heat Downtown Houston hopes that its World Cup preparations have a lasting impact on the city and the downtown.One of many projects is the development of the Main Street promenade, a $17 million project led by Downtown Houston+ that transformed seven blocks of Main StreetTo read more — login/subscribe
Downtown Idea Exchange, July 2026
Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E, Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Telephone: (973) 265-2300, Fax: (973) 402-6056 Website:DowntownDevelopment.com Email:info@DowntownDevelopment.com
A Rapid Risk Assessment for Measles Outbreaks in North Carolina
Introduction Several large outbreaks of measles in the United States have been reported in 2025, initially among communities in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas with low vaccination rates.1 As of September 2, 2025, 1413 cases of measles had been reported in 2025 by 42 jurisdictions in the United States—the worst year since measles was declared eradicated in 20002—coinciding with declining trends in measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination across the United States.3 On June 24, 2025, the North...
Does Your Downtown Need a Czar?
One of the largest cities in the world is focusing on small businesses. New York City created the position of Mom and Pop Czar in April. The goal is to help small businesses navigate city government and get the support they need not only to stay open, but also to grow. “Mom-and-pop businesses give every block, every neighborhood, every borough its unique identity,” says the first Czar, Delia Awusi.
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