Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, is partnering with Las Vegas to help transform the city’s downtown into more than just a hard-partying gambling hub. Hsieh and other investors have put up $350 million to start the Downtown Project with the goal of transforming downtown Vegas into “the most community-focused large city in the world,” creating “a vibrant, connected urban core.” The effort was already underway when Hsieh moved Zappos’ headquarters to nearby Henderson, Nevada, in 2004. But after Las Vegas built a new environmentally friendly city hall and eased restrictions on small businesses, Hseih decided to buy the old city hall in 2010 and moved Zappos’ headquarters there. Now he hopes to encourage tech companies and startups in Vegas and make the city more family-friendly. Vegas will always be known for the things it does best—glitz and gambling—but it might also become known as a place for innovative new businesses and creative communities.
Tag: Urban Living
Can a Crime-Reduction Method Also Prevent Traffic Accidents?
The broken windows approach to fighting street crime involves seriously enforcing the small things, like broken windows and other instances of vandalism, in order to maintain an orderly environment and discourage bigger crimes. According to the NYPD, the theory has worked to reduce New York City’s homicide rate, and could also work on reducing the number of traffic accidents caused by reckless driving. Cracking down on drivers who run red lights or who drive just over the speed limit could create more orderly roads, creating a safer environment for pedestrians.
Baltimore Youth Work Together for an Important Cause
Blue Water Baltimore is a non-profit organization that works with youth to provide leadership, education, and programs to help restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams and harbor. The initiative began as five separate Baltimore organizations working to improve their neighborhood water. Through a combined effort they realized they could have a larger impact and work to provide a model for collaborating on a shared vision, not only for the city of Baltimore, but on a national level. Perhaps the greater impact of the organization is that they inspire city residents to become advocates for positive action in their lives, neighborhoods, and the city as a whole. Read more about their mission.
$95 Device Lets You Charge Your Phone With Energy From Riding Your Bike
Engineers have created several ways for you to convert bicycle energy into power. But often, the options involve an expensive (and heavy) wheel buildout onto your bike. The Siva Cycle Atom is a generator that easily snaps onto your bike to charge electronic things like a phone, lights, and battery pack as you ride along. The website says, “We started Siva Cycle to transform the energy and passion of cycling into usable electricity for everyday.” They launched a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year to put the charger into production; the first round of chargers should reach people this month. The device not only represents a renewable energy solution for electronic devices, but also promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps reduce carbon emissions. Next time you need to recharge, consider grabbing your bike.