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FREE WEBINAR FOR CITY MANAGERS, PLANNERS & ELECTED OFFICIALS

4 Ways To Fill Empty Downtown Storefronts

This free, on-demand webinar shows city leaders how to update local rules, build support, and turn empty downtown spaces into new opportunity.

Ready to bring businesses back downtown?

A practical strategy to bring foot traffic back to Main Street

Join us for a clear, realistic look at how to:

  • 1

    Get local business owners on your side

    Bring city staff, elected leaders, and local business owners together so your plan has real champions.

  • 2

    Focus on the streets that need help first

    Map your priority blocks so you fix key areas without trying to do the whole town at once.

  • 3

    Remove outdated parking and zoning rules

    Drop strict parking rules and mandatory retail requirements so new shops can afford to open.

  • 4

    Show residents what changes will look like

    Use 3D visuals and live polling to win community support before taking a council vote.

Downtown revitalization: Myths vs. reality

Empty downtown street

Myths

  • Changing your zoning code alone will fix your downtown.

  • Revitalization forces one architectural style on every block.

  • Having a parking problem downtown is bad for business.
Busy downtown street

Realities

  • Code changes only work with local business champions and public buy-in.

  • Success is about how buildings meet the sidewalk, not forcing a single look.

  • Parking demand means your downtown is working. The fix is flexible rules.
Man using laptop at desk

Built for the leaders driving revitalization forward

City managers & administrators

Get visible results downtown without a bigger budget or new positions.

Planners

Clear the rules blocking new business without a full rewrite.

Elected officials & mayors

Win public support before the vote without last-minute pushback.

WATCH FULL WEBINAR NOW

"Having a parking problem downtown isn't a bad thing. It means the energy you're bringing is already working."

— Jim Hickey,
 AICP, Director of Planning Services, SAFEbuilt JimHickey

Featuring your hosts

Juliana Hoffman

Juliana Hoffman, Director of Marketing & Communications

Juliana leads marketing and communications for SAFEbuilt, working alongside planning and community development leaders across the country. She hosts SAFEbuilt's Real Roadblocks Series, turning zoning and revitalization challenges into grounded, practical conversations.

JimHickey

Jim Hickey, AICP, Director of Planning

Jim brings 29 years of municipal planning experience, including 22 years in the public sector across five states. He helps communities modernize their codes and build revitalization plans that actually get built.

David-Dixon

Dave Dixon, AICP, Principal Planner

Dave has spent 15 years planning for communities across the U.S. and Canada, specializing in urban design and site planning. He uses 3D models to show residents what a change will actually look like before it's built.

Watch the webinar on your own time

If your downtown has empty storefronts or outdated zoning holding it back, this session offers a practical place to start.

GET REVITALIZATION STRATEGIES
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