173 government programs highlight creative government initiatives around the country. Several focus on common problems faced in downtown revitalization.
(Boonton, NJ, December 1, 2010) — The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation has selected 173 government programs for its newly-created Bright Ideas program. The program is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives from around the country. Several of these bright ideas focus on problems common to downtown areas.
For example, the Public Spaces Collaborative, in Philadelphia, PA, tackles the ongoing issue of maintaining public areas. Here, community service representatives patrol the downtown district on foot seven days a week. They use hand-held computers to record, map, and relay troublesome or illegal conditions to over 20 responsible public and private agencies.
They use pull-down menus on their devices to take note of 83 elements in the public domain, including the condition of dumpsters, bicycle racks, sewers, and street signs. This data is downloaded, sorted, and distributed to the agencies responsible for maintenance.
Other Bright Idea programs, which focus on downtown revitalization are covered in the December issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.
###
About the Downtown Research & Development Center
For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.
The Group\'s main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.
Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com