Downtown – Atlantic City, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ August 8, 2024/ downtown, Field Notes, Physical, public art, storefront, Writing/ 0 comments

The entrance into Atlantic City gives a nice sense of arrival with these vertical pylons with stylized letters. A cluster of national chain stores makes it clear this is a shopping destination. The Nike store has pride of place while turning the corner towards the major resorts on the shore. Coach is located in the Tanger Outlets development, basically turning

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Highland Park Shopping Village – Dallas, Texas

Isaac Kremer/ July 2, 2024/ Field Notes, Physical, preservation, storefront, streetscape, wayfinding/ 0 comments

Highland Park Village in Dallas is a prime example of the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style. The complex features seven detached one- and two-story buildings arranged around an interior surface parking area and a central plaza. The buildings are designed with arched doors and windows, imported red tile roofs, overhanging balconies, and ornate tile work, all finely crafted to reflect

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Downtown – Knox Street – Dallas, Texas

Isaac Kremer/ July 2, 2024/ downtown, Field Notes, Physical, storefront, streetscape/ 0 comments

Knox Street in Dallas, Texas repeats the same design on either side of the light pole. At one level it makes the brand colors, logo, and social channels more prominent. At another level it is a missed opportunity to have a more design driven treatment with different content, colors, or messaging on either side of the poles. The district is

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Downtown – Dallas, Texas

Isaac Kremer/ June 30, 2024/ downtown, Economic, Field Notes, storefront/ 0 comments

Klyde Warren Park view from across the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The prominent, 20-story glass skyscraper towering in the center background is the PwC Tower at Park District located at 2121 North Pearl Street. Opened in 2018, it serves as a premier Class A office anchor for the Uptown and Arts District submarkets. The green, tree-lined space in the mid-ground is

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Downtown – Sherman, Texas

Isaac Kremer/ June 30, 2024/ AI Assisted, beer, City Hall, Civic, downtown, Economic, Field Notes, Physical, plaza, public art, storefront, streetscape/ 0 comments

GRAYSON COUNTYIN THE MAINSTREAM OF TEXAS HISTORY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, THIS AREA WAS, IN 1837, THE SITE OF COLONEL HOLLAND COFFEE’S TRADING POST, A LANDMARK STRUCTURE AT THE PRESTON BEND CROSSING OF THE RED RIVER. IT WAS A FOCAL POINT, BEGINNING IN 1842, FOR SETTLERS OF THE IMPORTANT PETERS’ COLONY. IN 1846 THE COUNTY WAS CREATED FROM PART

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Downtown – Cranford, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ June 9, 2024/ Civic, downtown, Field Notes, garden, Physical, placemaking, plaza, storefront, Writing/ 0 comments

Cleveland Plaza is a level of architectural intervention unusual for an older building. The canopy on steel and reinforced concrete armature gives a neat hat atop this structure. I was fortunate to get a peek into St. Michaels church down the block. The stained glass, while narrow and compact, had themes and coloration that made them stand out. Religious statuary

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Downtown – Toms River, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ June 8, 2024/ beer, downtown, Economic, Field Notes, Physical, public art, Writing/ 1 comments

Toms River proudly displays how they are one of approximately two dozen Main Street New Jersey communities in the state on the entry signage to their downtown. As the county seat for Ocean County there is a preponderance of offices here for the county, the Municipality, various organizations, and many lawyers. A small entertainment and restaurant scene is here also

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Main Street Now – Birmingham, Alabama (2024)

Isaac Kremer/ May 31, 2024/ Civic, Economic, Field Notes, Physical, placemaking, public art, Social, storefront, Writing/ 0 comments

Over the past decade I have attended every in person Main Street Now conference. Through that experience I have developed both expectations and an appreciation for the unique strengths and lessons that each host city has to offer. Birmingham was no exception. In a post spanning two parts I will share about my experience with the leadup to the conference

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Terminal A – Newark, New Jersey

Isaac Kremer/ May 5, 2024/ beer, Economic, Field Notes, Physical, placemaking, public art, Writing/ 0 comments

Recently Terminal A in Newark, NJ, was named the best new terminal in the world. Almost immediately upon arriving it was apparent why. Great thought went into designing an environment worthy of the travel experience. From the way finding, to seating, to public art, and retail mix with many local businesses – comfort of travelers was front of mind. It

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Belleville Market – Easton, Pennsylvania

Isaac Kremer/ March 9, 2024/ Economic, Field Notes, market, Social/ 0 comments

Founders of the market sought to create something more than a store, where friends and neighbors could gather together. They feature a juried collection of over 40 makers, curators and collectors. Domaci Market is a general store offering everyday essentials for a healthy home, and Domaci Design Studio to support furniture shopping. Events are held regularly, including in the upper

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