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How might cities be able to get out of the dreaded "real estate doom loop"?

Jun 7, 2024
For cities whose downtown centers are struggling, investment in a core of residential, retail and entertainment spaces could help lure people back.
"Chicago really stands out because its activity is nearly back to normal," said Karen Chapple, director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto. "Yet its work-hour activity Monday to Friday, 8 to 6 is around 60%."
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Commercial construction has hit a brick wall. Why?

Mar 13, 2024
Factors like high interest rates, tight credit and workers continuing to work from home are all hitting commercial construction demand.
Factors like high interest rates, tight credit and continued remote work are all hitting commercial construction demand.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Texas downtowns have rebounded differently post-pandemic

Oct 5, 2023
A new report by Philadelphia’s Center City District analyzed the economic recovery in the 26 largest downtown districts in the country. Five of them were in Texas.
Downtown San Antonio seen from the Tower of the Americas earlier this year. San Antonio's downtown has seen success since lockdown, in part because the area has many jobs in tourism and entertainment
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Revisiting a revitalized Waterville, Maine

Sep 12, 2023
In 2010, this town was a picture of economic devastation. Reinvestment brought Main Street back to life.
On a street where long-empty clothing stores once stood, a multi-million dollar hotel has opened. It's all part of a push for economic reinvestment in Waterville's Main Street.
David Brancaccio/Marketplace

Why are some downtowns booming again?

Aug 7, 2023
Foot traffic in downtown Salt Lake City reached 139% of pre-pandemic levels in spring. And other cities can learn from its example.
A cheaper cost of living, beautiful scenery and a booming economy helped the Greater Salt Lake area grow by 51,000 people last year.
Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

Retail is recovering — and flowering — in smaller cities and the suburbs

Feb 1, 2023
A new report from the JPMorgan Chase Institute finds retail has followed consumers to where many more now work and live.
Consumers are continuing to spend — just closer to home. Above, people walk at an outdoor shopping area in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Downtowns plan for a future with far fewer office workers

Dec 15, 2022
In New York City, daily office vacancy rates average about 50%. So it and other cities are trying to attract more visitors by converting office space to housing, improving public transit, and making their streets a destination.
Downtown Crossing, a major shopping area in Boston, on March 26, 2020.
Scott Eisen/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

More workers are returning to offices, but downtown? Not so much.

Nov 16, 2021
The share of workers staying home due to worries about the coronavirus dropped last month to a pandemic low.
A few lights are on in a New York City high-rise. Some workers are coming back, but downtowns still have plenty of unused capacity.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

California town divided over downtown homeless shelter

Dec 28, 2015
The debate is over a historic hotel offering transitional housing.

Take a walk though the country's newest urban park

Jul 27, 2012
The Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles offers much needed -- and some say, long overdue -- green space in the neighborhood.
Host Tess Vigeland conducts an interview from an interactive fountain in downtown L.A.'s Grand Park.
Megan Larson