5 Public Space Strategies that Promote Local Economies
Cities share what’s working, from recurring festivals to transformed roadways
As cities look for new ways to boost their local economies, supporting public life — people spending time together in public — is key. There are many benefits associated with a thriving public life, from improved physical health to increased economic mobility to lower rates of violent crime. This week, we’re focusing on the economic benefits of drawing people to public spaces — and sharing five ways cities are using the public realm to attract more people to commercial districts.
Is your city supporting thriving commercial districts by bringing people together in public space? We’d love to hear what’s happening near you! Share your examples and ideas in the comments.
1. Turn a street for cars into a vibrant space for people
In San José, a pilot project closed Post Street, a commercial corridor in the heart of downtown, to cars from Thursday to Sunday over the course of a year. The closed street became a safe and vibrant place for people to dine, shop and socialize.
The activation was well-received by business owners and the public. Business owners carried out most of the logistics and labor required to close and reopen the street, with the support from local clean-and-safe program Groundwerx. In addition to attracting the general public, the street has become a safe haven for San Jose’s LGBTQ+ community. The open space, known as Qmunity District, regularly hosts markets, block parties and live music.
Over the year, over 75,000 people visited the pedestrianized street — and in a survey of 900 people, 84% supported permanently closing and activating the four-block area. The project was a collaboration of the City of San José’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, the San Jose Downtown Association and Project MORE.
2. Draw people to commercial corridors with recurring festivals and events
Activating commercial corridors with events or festivals that occur regularly — and emphasize celebration and fun — can appeal to a wide range of people.
Downtown Camden, New Jersey, lacked a central, public gathering place. So local leaders, including Camden Special Services District, the IDEA Center for the Arts and the City of Camden, transformed an underused area around 3rd and Market streets into a defined place to gather. They added bistro tables, chairs, landscaping, games and umbrellas. Then, to activate the space, they launched the Art Crawl and Lunchtime Concert Series in summer 2022, bringing in performers, food trucks and vendors for regular events. Since 2020, annual visitation to the activated area has increased by about 45,000 visits, solidifying 3rd and Market as a place to relax, recreate and spend money on local Camden arts and artisans.
In Detroit, public festivals along the Livernois and McNichols neighborhood commercial corridors create gathering opportunities for residents from adjacent communities and beyond. This year, a key focus of the events was meeting people where they are — and that meant curating a multigenerational experience and maintaining attendees’ dignity by removing financial and accessibility barriers. All events are free, and food is subsidized to further support affordability. To attract a multigenerational audience, program schedules are designed to meet the needs of different age groups. Earlier in the day, many activities appeal to older adults and families with kids. There are open spaces for kids to play and parents to socialize, and older adult favorites such as Hustle classes, chair massages and rickshaw rides. As day turns to night, offerings such as vision board parties, live poetry events and fashion shows cater to Millennial and Gen-Z attendees. Organized by the Live6 Alliance, these summer celebrations of art, design, fashion and local entrepreneurship also increase patronage of local small businesses. From June to October, three businesses — Detroit Sip, Detroit Pizza Bar and Eric’s I’ve Been Framed — reported that these events have attracted 1,450 additional patrons to their establishments.
Finally, on the first Friday of almost every month in downtown Macon, Georgia, NewTown Macon hosts the Family Fun Zone. This event brings family-friendly programming like lawn games, community partner pop-ups and themed programming, like Seuss on the Loose, to Third Street Park during First Friday. Families stop by the Fun Zone and then often grab a meal at one of downtown Macon’s great locally owned dinner spots. This event is part of a layered investment approach in downtown Macon that includes housing development, public space, staffing and programming. Macon’s multifaceted strategy has led to an increase in the downtown district’s value from $180 million to $330 million in just five years.
“When I think of downtowns, I often think of adult time. But by offering a special space for families, we are able to see not only children grinning ear to ear as they play games, but parents as well!”
— Hailie Poppell, digital content manager, NewTown Macon
3. Transform streets, parking spaces and parking lots into al fresco dining spots
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San José relaxed regulations for outdoor business operations on sidewalks, in street parking spaces, in parks and in private parking lots to support the survival of the city’s restaurants, cafés, bars and shops. Called the SJ Al Fresco Initiative, this public space experiment created opportunities for socially distanced dining and transformed San José’s urban environment in ways that are consistent with the city’s larger goals of creating vibrant commercial corridors and walkable neighborhoods. It continues to be a popular way to advance economic recovery and enliven streets.
Support for the expansion of business operations in outdoor spaces through a citywide al fresco program continues, inline with recommendations developed by SPUR in collaboration with businesses and community partners. A citywide al fresco program will transform more parking, street and sidewalk spaces into outdoor places to dine, drink and gather. When well programmed and developed with attention to design and maintenance, these spaces can contribute to vibrant streets and a strong sense of local stewardship.
4. Revitalize commercial corridors that connect to key public spaces
In Philadelphia’s East Parkside neighborhood, a commercial corridor is being revitalized in ways that catalyze growth in the adjacent neighborhood while also complementing improvements being made to the connection between the neighborhood and West Fairmount Park. The commercial corridor is located at 40th Street and Girard Avenue, the primary gateway into the 1,400-acre park from East Parkside.
Led by the Centennial Parkside CDC, the revitalization prioritizes local residents and is rooted in the neighborhood’s history and culture. Endeavors include a new arts space, the Black Urban Theater; a new Clean & Green Team headquarters for the local five-person local sanitation team; and Philadelphia City Rowing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering local youth through the sport of rowing. The corridor will also gain 40 new trees, which will be cared for by East Parkside residents serving as tree ambassadors.
The CDC’s new energy-efficient headquarters on 40th Street will serve as a community anchor, setting the tone for future commercial development and providing a critical engagement and drop-in space for neighbors. The CDC is also supporting the redevelopment of a commercial property on the corner of 40th and Girard, led by Ujima Developers. This multi-use building will provide affordable housing, promote community-focused development practices and house businesses including a healthcare facility, a health food cafe, a community garden and a recreation space. Taken together, this comprehensive and collaborative revitalization will spur economic activity at the nexus between the park and the neighborhood.
5. Build a public market to support diverse, local entrepreneurs
In Lexington, Kentucky, Julietta Market creates economic opportunity for diverse entrepreneurs who often face barriers to entry such as limited access to capital and discrimination based on race, status and background. The market provides a physical location for these entrepreneurs to run their business — an opportunity that is generating financial independence while fostering a more equitable and robust public life in the neighborhoods on Lexington’s north side. Initiatives like the Launchpad Pitch Competition have helped businesses like Inebriated Baker and Luxe & Ash succeed and have turned Julietta Market into a hub for community engagement, social cohesion and a celebration of personal stories and cultural heritage. Support for the Julietta Market is provided by the Blue Grass Community Foundation and others.
“I benefited from the collaborations with other vendors on new products, like the tattoo healing cream created for Lex Ink Tattoo and our newest skin care line infused with CBD by Ancient Aromas. The business classes offered by the Julietta Market management team have given the vendors a ton of valuable business information. I also appreciated the diversity of potential clients coming to the Julietta Market to shop.”
— Rodney James, owner of Healthy Grooming Skin Care and third place winner in Julietta Market’s first pitch competition
Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.
