November 5, 2026

Unique Event Sets Downtown Apart

The annual garage racing championship in Arlington, VA, has grown into the National Landing BID's longest-running signature event.

Instead of closing downtown streets for a traditional cycling competition, organizers create a course spanning two levels of a parking garage. The ramps, tight corners, and changes in elevation become obstacles that test riders’ technical skills.

Equally important, the event illustrates how downtowns can create original programming by reconsidering the uses of existing infrastructure. Parking garages are prime candidates because they can sit empty during evenings or weekends, especially in office-oriented districts.

Full coverage of this award-winning downtown event appears in the November issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.

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Recommended Reading

Coping with Cutbacks

Steer your nonprofit through short-term crises and long-term change with Coping with Cutbacks.

This timely book, shows readers how to shift their thinking from "How do we get more money to keep our organization functioning?" to "How do we involve other segments of the community to address important issues?"

The first part of the book shows you how to involve business, government, and other nonprofits to solve problems together.

The second part gives you a six-step process for developing solutions to the problems — financial or otherwise — that your organization is facing.

You’ll also find immediate help with 185 specific cutback strategies. These strategies can be put to use right away to help you overcome short-term crises, manage change, and use your resources more effectively. They include:

• 51 ways to increase revenue, manage money, increase fundraising, expand services, and improve productivity
• 64 ways to cut costs, deal with expenses, modify staffing, and change services
• 28 ways to rethink how your organization works, including its mission, culture, and structure
• 40 ways to involve more people in meeting your mission, including other nonprofits, businesses, the community, and local government.

Detailed worksheets, examples, and a step-by-step format provide ideas and guidance for organizations that want to move quickly.

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Coping with Cutbacks is just one of the many books on Management & Funding available from the Downtown Development Center.