Edition 52

Welcome to 2024, and what a doozy of a year it has been! So far we’ve seen wild weather; record-breaking lows and the 2+ year snow drought in the mid-Atlantic bit the dust this week as the first measurable snow hit Baltimore, DC, NYC and Philly, effectively ending 700+ flakeless days. Awards season has officially commenced, the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day are right around the corner — and you need to get your Submitables on if you’re hoping to speak at IDA this fall in Seattle. In this edition we bring you a round-up of interesting and noteworthy articles, arts and inspo, including socialist supermarkets, neurodiverse arts grants, a mass transit optical illusion, and lots and lots of trends to ponder from the thoughtleaders at Gensler. We hope your January is off to a good start, and if you need to break your resolution, eat some pie or tipple a toast after a long hard week, it’s okay! This a resolution-breaker safe space. To quote the Go-Go’s (or Fun Boy Three), “our lips are sealed”. 

Happy New Year from,

– Your Bright Brothers Team
David Romako / Josh Yeager /  Brandi Walsh

In neurodiversity news, the stakes are getting higher as municipalities become certified in being more welcoming to neurodiverse populations. Bright Brothers spoke about “Neurodiversity and Your District” at the 69th Annual IDA in Chicago last fall, and while the topic sits slightly left of our typical MarCom talks at IDA — the session was phenomenally well-received, and we’ve gotten a lot of interest from downtowns and districts looking to up their ante when it comes to neurodiversity. The trend extends when you consider these recent civic accolades celebrated around the country. Recently Visit Mesa (the Mesa, AZ CVB) was recognized as the first-ever Autism certified city in the States, and with their mobile-exclusive digital passport, you can navigate local businesses, attractions and establishments that are inclusive, as well as certified sensory guides, autism-friendly itineraries and additional resources. In December, the City of Philadelphia received Sensory Inclusive certification; another national first. And we recently learned that the Renée Fleming Foundation has joined forces with the NeuroArts Blueprint initiative to establish the Renée Fleming NeuroArts Investigator Awards. The awards support both basic and applied research that expands the evidence base in the emerging field of neuroarts — with $80,000 available for research grants. The deadline for submitting proposals is February 1, 2024. What is your town or district doing with regard to autism tourism, sensory exploration or accommodations for the neurodiversity community?  We’d love to hear from you!

Photo by Steven Libralon on Unsplash

Have you ever stumbled upon something magical amidst the mundane? This one made us squee with delight, when we discovered this enchanting zoetrope hidden in a subway tunnel underneath Brooklyn, NYC. The visually enthralling, subterranean piece is called “Masstransiscope” by artist Bill Brand, and dates back to 1980! The 300 foot long piece of lenticular love was designed specifically to be seen though 228 slits in the wall and illuminated for the enjoyment of subway passengers. We absolutely ❤ it!

Photo by kwan fung on Unsplash
 

… that session proposals for IDA 70 in Seattle are now open — and close in two weeks?!? September may feel like a world away, but those busy beavers and ardent planners at IDA want your submissions now! One of the greatest strengths of the IDA community is our willingness to share. In many other industries, your fellow place management orgs would be perceived as direct competition. But since entering the industry nearly a decade ago, we’ve observed such good natured and wholehearted willingness to share with peers! We share what worked, what didn’t and what we could do better next time. It’s this culture of transparency and knowledge sharing that helps float all the boats, so we highly recommend you define your topics, rally your squad (or speaking partners and panelists, as it were), and get your submissions in for the next IDA annual by Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 11:59 pm ET, peeps! #IDASEA24

Photo by Luca Micheli on Unsplash

We’re fans of the design powerhouse Gensler. Founded in 1965, the firm works globally with more than 3,500 clients across 33 practice areas spanning the work, lifestyle, cities, and health sectors. And while a lot of their work is focused on architecture and design, much of it is transferable or directly relevant to the place management industry. More than just a shop or a global firm, Gensler boasts an admirable research team, and as a think tank — Gensler directionally guides city makers,  planners, placemakers and urbanists alike. Their research and insights enthrall us, and we’re particularly chuffed with their Design Forecast series that delves into current and fomenting trends; looking at 2024 and beyond. Check out what Gensler has to say with regard to The Future of Cities and Multiuse Districts, how entertainment impacts the built environment, the Future of Hospitality, and how technology is impacting the built environment. We guarantee you’ll uncover gems to share with your board, staff and ratepayers, as well as imaginative and aspirational insights for your district directly. Kudos, enjoy and let us know what your take is on Gensler. 

Photo by Victor on Unsplash

While we typically focus on one particular locale in this section, for this edition we’re looking at two VERY different cities through the lens of one of modern man’s most important commonalities; the supermarket. Every community needs to feed itself and in many areas, urban supermarkets can be dull, gross or arduous experiences, while also underpinning the heart of the community. In places with food deserts, a supermarket of any kind can feel like a luxury while being a necessity. Take Chicago, for example, where the city is contemplating “supermarket socialism”, in that they are considering a trial whereby the city itself could potentially own grocery stores operated as public utilities. A fascinating concept, although we all may groan at the thought of your loaf of bread, gallon of milk and a stick of butter turning out more like the DMV than the Piggly Wiggly. Ugh! Conversely, across the pond we’ve seen the citizenry rally around a small-format Tesco Express — because in this district, you can readily purchase premium coffee beans, a hand-crafted cocktail or luxury import items at fancy shops and boutiques — but nailing down the essentials for a meal, or necessities like TP — you’d be hard-pressed to find them for sale in London’s toney Soho neighborhood. So much so, that London’s Westminster Council ruled recently that the Tesco Express on Dean Street had been approved as an Asset of Community Value (or ACV) — a property afforded some legal protections because it has been recognized as being of special worth to the community. What’s your take on either scenario — and if you shop in the city, we’d love to know what the experience is like near you.

Photo by Nathália Rosa on Unsplash