A new article from Smart Growth America portrays the successes of placemaking in communities as diverse as Soldotna, Alaska (population 4,163), Orlando, and Philadelphia.
Smart Growth America highlights placemaking as an effective tool for a variety of urban development goals in a new article entitled Placemaking Done Right: Three Successful Approaches.
Planners and placemakers in all employment sectors can use the approaches of these three communities as a toolkit to target the following areas:
Facade Improvements - The small community Soldotna, Alaska provides matching grant funds for businesses in the downtown area to make repairs and beautification efforts to storefronts, signs, and landscaping, with $36,000 in city funds spurring private investment worth $212,500.
Public Art - Since 1959, Philadelphia has witnessed over 400 pieces of public art installed through its Percent for Art program designed to incorporate art into the development process.
Commercial District Advocacy - Orlando is one of five cities to initiate its own Main Street program, which advocates for traditional commercial areas which traditionally do not have access to management tools offered to contemporary commercial developments such as shopping malls. Orlando's program has realized almost 500 new businesses, 3,000 jobs and 300 housing units in the past five years.
FULL STORY: Placemaking Done Right: Three Successful Approaches
An Orlando Business District Revitalization Success Story
Mills 50, just northeast of Downtown Orlando, has been reborn as the city's Main Street and has helped spur development, investment, and interest in Orlando's urban core.
Three Cities Where New Immigrants Revitalized Main Street
Fusion lists three cities as examples of new immigrants becoming the face of community businesses in neighborhoods needing a boost.
Philadelphia Could Lose Free Transit Program
The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
How to Make US Trains Faster
Changes to boarding platforms and a switch to electric trains could improve U.S. passenger rail service without the added cost of high-speed rail.
Columbia’s Revitalized ‘Loop’ Is a Hub for Local Entrepreneurs
A focus on small businesses is helping a commercial corridor in Columbia, Missouri thrive.
Invasive Insect Threatens Minnesota’s Ash Forests
The Emerald Ash Borer is a rapidly spreading invasive pest threatening Minnesota’s ash trees, and homeowners are encouraged to plant diverse replacement species, avoid moving ash firewood, and monitor for signs of infestation.
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