Eight years after downtown Rochester sparked a retail resurgence along its Main Street with a holiday light display, small towns across Metro Detroit are following suit to create a sense of place and lure shoppers away from boring big boxes.
"In recent years, holiday displays have popped up in cities and downtowns across Metro Detroit that are attempting to create a destination for shoppers who want a different experience than they can get in a mall or shopping center," reports Lauren Abdel-Razzaq. Following the success of Rochester’s "Big Bright Light Show", Troy is launching the "Lights of Hope" project along Big Beaver Road. The holiday light display builds on recent changes to the city's zoning ordinance meant to encourage a walkable downtown
"Other displays, including those in Shain Park in Birmingham and in downtown Royal Oak and the Wayne County Lightfest, have already lit up to get shoppers to open their wallets and pocketbooks," adds Abdel-Razzaq.
"In a time when buying local resonates, small businesses that typically find it difficult to compete with big-box stores and their advertising budgets can get an edge on holiday sales by creating the 'whole downtown experience,' said Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority."
FULL STORY: Metro Detroit cities use holiday lights to put customers in buying mood
When Your Neighbor is a Big-Box Store
Taking advantage of state and local density bonuses and streamlining measures, beloved big-box retailer Costco is getting into the housing business
Marrying Urban Identity and Economic Prosperity
A new book posits that truly successful communities have a strong economic base and a firmly rooted sense of place.
Main Street Redevelopment Hopes To Lure NYC Commuters to Village of Brewster
Officials in the Village of Brewster, a community of just over 2,000 people in New York's Putnam County, hope a redesign of their downtown will attract new residents who want to escape the clamor of the city.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions