I drove down Lafayette Street  from Union to State street yesterday and was awestruck at how beautiful the flowers hanging from the light posts looked.  In all the years they have been put up this year is unmatched.  Really nice looking

I noticed that too! They do look the best ever.
I think this year's odd weather, a deluge followed by breezy, dry, and sunny, seems to be particularly good for growing things. Everything in my yard is overgrown.
I also noticed that we have a lot of trees in really good shape in the downtown area. Some of the newer ones have really taken off.

thanks to the taxpayers?
or were they donated?

I think the flowers might be part of the BID? I'm not sure, but I seem to recall that.