Neal Peirce utilizes the arrival of Wal-mart in Plymouth, NH to illustrate how independent retailers and 'main streets' survive in the face of big-box retailing.
Neal Peirce, of the Washington Post Writers Group, visits Plymouth, NH and finds a "survival strategy" for local businesses on Main Street in the face of Wal-mart. Plymouth is one of 1600 communities participating in the National Trust for Historic Presevation's Main Street program. Plymouth's Main Street program has a director and a strategy that features marketing and special events, beautification and management. As an example, Peirce highlights the local hardware store which remains "solidly profitable" as a result of specialized products, knowledgeable staff and expanded store hours.
Thanks to Irene Sherr
Read the full story: Main Street Niches in a Mass Sales World
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions
Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.
Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify
A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello