Ohio Economic Development Association’s Post

You might have spotted a familiar name in yesterday's Star Tribune article on the Minneapolis Downtown Council's 10-year development plan. Focused on improving walkability, expanding housing options, investing in business, and introducing new venues and programming, this plan intends to transform downtown by 2035. Another part of that plan? Embracing winter, celebrating community, and bringing people downtown with the events offered by The Great Northern and other local organizations. We're all in. ❄️ 🏙️ ⭐ Read more about these plans here: https://lnkd.in/gpX5YhJN

Charlotte, NC is poised for a major transformation with the proposed Queen's Park project. 🏞️ Envisioned as a 220-acre urban green space, it aims to convert a former industrial railyard near uptown into the city’s largest and most dynamic park. Spearheaded by the nonprofit Friends of Queen's Park, the initiative aspires to establish a community hub while addressing the city's need for more accessible green spaces. Queen's Park promises to integrate diverse amenities such as flexible spaces like a great lawn for recreation and events, cultural hubs to showcase arts and host festivals, natural preserves that restore ecosystems and add tree cover and connections to existing trails and infrastructure, linking surrounding neighborhoods and promoting walkability. The park is intended to bridge and unite eight neighborhoods divided by industrial zones, fostering inclusivity and urban renewal. Advocates liken its potential impact to New York's Central Park or Chicago's Millennium Park, emphasizing its role in enhancing quality of life, culture, and sustainability ❗ While the vision is compelling, challenges remain. Securing funding and addressing competing land-use needs complicate progress. For example, parts of the site have recently been allocated for light rail storage, underscoring the complexity of balancing infrastructure with public space development

Communities That Play Together Grow Together: My View of Greenville, South Carolina 🌟 My wife’s family lives in South Carolina, and as I have been to many cities around the world, I am always captivated by Greenville and how it relates to where I live. With a population of only about 70,000 people, I feel that the heart of Greenville’s success story is its unwavering commitment to providing residents and visitors alike with an abundance of opportunities for leisure, recreation, and cultural enrichment. Greenville offers something for everyone, regardless of age or background, from its extensive network of parks and green spaces to its bustling downtown district filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.  It seems that no matter what day of the week it is or what time of the year, Greenville is always busy with thousands of people walking, eating and simply enjoying everything the city has to offer. Public spaces like Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail foster social connection, echoing Waterloo Region's landscape synergy. The city's arts scene thrives, with galleries, theatres, and events like Artisphere drawing thousands yearly, boosting both culture and commerce. But it's Greenville's collaborative spirit that truly shines. Residents, businesses, and government unite to shape the city's future, driving initiatives like the Greenville Forward Vision Plan. In my opinion, Greenville, South Carolina, stands as a shining example of the transformative power of community engagement, recreation, and cultural enrichment. By prioritizing public spaces, fostering a vibrant arts scene, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, Greenville has created a dynamic and inclusive community where residents thrive, businesses flourish, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. As other cities seek to emulate Greenville’s success, they would do well to heed the timeless wisdom that communities that play together truly do grow together. 🌟 #CommunityEngagement #Growth #GreenvilleSC #CommunityDevelopment #Recreation #CulturalEnrichment #PublicSpaces #ArtsScene #Collaboration #InclusiveCommunity #CommunityBuilding #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #DestinationCity

NEWS❗A transformative project is set to revitalize the intersection of Memphis Avenue and Pearl Road in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Approved by the City Planning Commission, this redevelopment will replace four deteriorating historic buildings with a six-story mixed-use structure, offering 74 mid-level apartments, community spaces, and retail opportunities. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4grqghm Desmone Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation Kris Harsh

The Center for an Urban Future has just issued a superb commentary about specific steps NYC could take to support neighborhood parks partners. The problems and solutions it identifies mirror those for small BIDs in NYC, which I wrote about with @RPA last year in Go Local! Help Us Help You. The through line, not just in NYC but in many cities, is the need for proactive and positive policies to make place-centered partnerships more empowered and equitable, through Trusted Partner programs and other innovations. NYC has made very good progress under its new Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu, but there's still much more to be done. Finding solutions to these issues across sectors and across cities is my focus at the Sustaining Places Initiative at NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management. https://lnkd.in/eW78_-8R Go Local Report: https://lnkd.in/eHUKcM6T Sustaining Places: https://lnkd.in/ePFEpsJr.

"Gentle Density" is our vision for sustainable, community-focused housing. Instead of overcrowded high-rises, we believe in creating low-rise, high-density affordable housing that fits seamlessly within suburban neighborhoods. Our approach? Placing 6-8 prefabricated studio units on standard suburban lots, allowing for thoughtful growth that encourages neighborhood integration. By scattering these units every few blocks, communities expand sustainably, welcoming new neighbors without disrupting the fabric of single-family tracts. It’s a model that supports affordable living, neighborhood cohesion, and long-term community building. Let’s rethink density, together.

Across the U.S., cities are finding innovative ways to "counteract trends of loneliness, distrust, harmful climate impacts and the economic segregation in American neighborhoods." That's the core of Reimagining the Civic Commons. In Philadelphia we are proud to pursue these goals with local partners Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, CENTENNIAL PARKSIDE CDC, Strawberry Mansion CDC, and Bartram's Garden.

Share your thoughts on the proposed redevelopment of Clark County's Chinatown neighborhood!

New Freedom Borough and Shrewsbury Township, under the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission, are thrilled to announce the appointment of Gianina Porter as the Commission's inaugural Director of Recreation. The establishment of the Southern York County Regional Recreation Commission signifies a significant step forward in community collaboration and resource optimization. By pooling resources and efforts, the Commission aims to prevent duplication of services and enhance the quality and accessibility of recreational amenities for residents of both municipalities. New Freedom Borough Council's approval of the Intermunicipal Agreement of Cooperation with Shrewsbury Township underscores the commitment to promoting regional cooperation and addressing evolving recreational priorities. As communities grow and funding sources become increasingly competitive, the importance of regional recreation initiatives becomes more evident. By prioritizing projects and activities through collaborative efforts, the Commission aims to maximize cost-effectiveness and ensure that constituents are best served. #CommunityCollaboration #RegionalRecreation #EnhancedServices   

Considering a move to Mesa, Arizona? Let’s dive into one potential drawback: the lack of a true downtown nucleus. While Mesa has a small downtown district along Main Street with unique charm, it currently lacks the vibrant central hub many suburban cities boast. 🌆🌄 City events and community gatherings often revolve around a downtown area, creating a lively focal point for residents. While Mesa is working on revitalizing its downtown, it’s not yet a standout feature. Is this a dealbreaker for you? Explore the pros and cons before deciding if Mesa is your perfect match! Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/ggm28Pii #MesaArizona #RelocationTips #LivingInMesa #ArizonaRealEstate #CommunityLiving