Director's Take

Learning from Other Downtowns

08-04-2025

Dear Friend of Downtown,

When you visit other cities, do you notice things in their public spaces that are different from home? I love to compare and contrast, always asking who is paying for the program or the installation or the interesting “thing” that I’m seeing. Sometimes I also notice things I’m super happy *not* to see in Louisville.

Every year, I make it a point to visit two to three other downtowns, meeting with my counterpart there and learning about their organizational structure and budget. I learn so much about how cities value and prioritize their downtowns through these visits and am almost always envious about how much more money – and therefore beautiful things – other cities have.

In the last couple years, I’ve visited a handful of cities, from Dayton and Cincinnati to Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. I just returned from Detroit last week, and will be visiting Kansas City next week, and without fail, I always bring new ideas home.

It’s refreshing to see that other cities have some struggles too, and it’s helpful for me to learn how other downtown organizations are instrumental in the progress a city can make.

Anything from art installations, murals, and more green space, to alternative funding streams, working with public safety agencies, and various board/membership models. Cities with thriving downtowns have a downtown agency like Louisville Downtown Partnership, and it’s heartening to know that we are on the right track.

One favor to ask of you… when you are visiting other cities and you see something you like, please let us know! If we can incorporate it, start it, or create it, we will!

Let’s do more of that. See you on the streets soon!