CELEBRATE YOUR COMMUNITY

Most communities have SOMETHING to celebrate within their past be it a famous person, historical event, etc.  Others (for the sake of marketing) make something up.  In a recent trip to Waukesha, Wisconsin; the downtown district was paying homage to hometown celebrity Les Paul.  While I probably missed several items, the downtown was covered in decorated guitars and paintings.  The community is justifiably proud of this man and took the opportunity to make their downtown different and interesting...

PARKLETS

Obviously this type of amenity isn't for every community, but the concept is at least worth considering when trying to bring interest and interaction to your downtown.  No need for me to explain the concept, the images do that:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/84935142943373133

KEEP IT CURRENT

EVEN CLEVER CAN GO STALE

Below is a photo of a river front project.  Exactly what it is, I am not sure.   It is either a knitted art project for the potted trees or it is scarf give away for the local homeless.  Whichever it actually is; there are problems.  If it is  knitted art, the project has been kept up too long and the colors have faded in the summer sun.  If it a scarf give away; the season of need has past and the scarves have rotted away.   In any event, the the lesson is the same;  if your downtown has similar projects, they need to be kept up and kept relevant.  Many, many projects are put up and then left to experience a long, painful death.  If you are going to the trouble of undertaking a project, keep it fresh and relevant.  Once the project is deemed old, remove it and replace it with something else.

SOMETHING ELSE I'VE NOT COME ACROSS BEFORE

While recently walking through the Third Ward in Milwaukee, I found this attached to the exterior wall of a local bar / restaurant.   It appears to serve as a place for people to put down their drink while socializing outside.  For the casual observer walking by, this also serves as a piece of street art.   Just thought it was interesting:

FLEXIBILITY IN CITY CODE

Allowing flexibility in a community's codes / ordinances allow businesses to be creative and interesting while marketing their location.  Non-traditional signs (among other things) makes your downtown more memorable; offering an experience visitors may not find elsewhere.