DPN News and Features

West Union Green Streets Pilot Prepares for Launch

DPN — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:28:47 +0000

We just posted a new project feature highlighting our work on the Iowa Green Streets Pilot initiatives in West Union and Woodbine, Iowa. As pilots, the communities of West Union and Woodbine will experiment with measures to achieve sustainable communities and serve as models for their colleagues in Iowa and others throughout the nation. Click here to learn more.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Plugging in New Main Street Volunteers

DPN — Thu, 27 May 2010 13:42:59 +0000

http://www.downtownpros.com/tools.html

Lisa originally created a wholly unscientific, but not entirely arbitrary Main Street Committee Placement Exam as a fun committee training exercise for our work with the Louisiana Economic Development Committee in Louisiana, Missouri. Turns out, our friends there are still using it as a first step in their volunteer intake process and report great results.

The exam is now online and can be accessed from the new "Tools & Resources" section of our website. Give it a whirl and let us know where you got "plugged in."

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Big Changes in downtown Ripon

DPN — Wed, 12 May 2010 22:17:22 +0000

http://www.marketplacemagazine.com/content/556_1.php

Our friend Craig Tebon sent us an email and the link to a Marketplace Magazine story about the tremendous transformation taking place in downtown Ripon, Wisconsin. Click here to check out the article about Boca Grande Capital's plans and investment in downtown Ripon.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Preparing for Launch: Surviving Construction

DPN — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:38:44 +0000

http://www.survivingconstruction.com

Are backhoes and bulldozers on your horizon?

We're preparing to launch our new "Surviving Construction" website. Click on the screenshot for a sneak peek and to take the "Surviving Construction Preparedness Exam."

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Downtown Retail Visioning Gets Attention

DPN — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:34:13 +0000

We just caught up with our friend Kristoper Larson who we got to know during our work on the Hillsborough Street BID Formation project in Raleigh, North Carolina. Kris is now working his magic in sunny Long Beach, California where, among other things, he's managing the Downtown Long Beach Associates' Retail Visioning Process.

Kris says the project has "received some good local and regional press as an inventive planning process." We can see why. Click here to link up to the project website, and be sure to check out this awesome promotional video for Downtown Long Beach.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Legend of the Moose

DPN — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:56:22 +0000

We hear a lot of great stories while on the road. One of our favorites is the "Moose Legend" from Groveton, New Hampshire. But in this case, the legend is documented by one of our favorite photos, taken in front of Groveton High School in 1979.

According to our source, Becky Newton, "The funny story behind the picture is that the driver was the French teacher. Later in the day he's on the telephone with the insurance company trying to explain, in his broken English, that a 'mouse' crushed his car. He finally got the word 'moose' out...but not before his credibility was completely destroyed!"

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The View from Milwaukee's SOHI District

DPN — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:48:56 +0000

Since our first visit to Milwaukee's SOHI District nearly five years ago, we've continued to follow the work and progress of the SOHI District Main Street Program. Keith Stanley, SOHI District Manager, has made it easy for us to follow by employing a variety of video and social media applications, including a YouTube Channel that features more than 80 videos.

While posting one of the most recent installments, Keith pondered, "So how do you get 1 year of volunteerism, community organizing, development, neighborhood coordination and collaboration in a 4 minute 30 second video? I do not know... Plenty of Red Bull?"

Check out the SOHIMKE YouTube Channel for more, including a number of clips on SOHI's surveillance cameras, safety initiatives, and features on unique SOHI District businesses.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Cedar Falls Makes the 2010 Triple-D List

DPN — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:29:34 +0000

Congratulations to our friends at Cedar Falls Community Main Street, a graduate of the 2009 Main Street Iowa Market Analysis program facilitiated by DPN, and the community of Cedar Falls on making the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

There's still time to help us vote Cedar Falls as the fan favorite. Click on the icon and vote now!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.