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CITYOF ELKO Website: www.elkocitynv.gov Planning Department Email: [email protected]

1751 College Avenue Elko,Nevada89801 · (775)777-7160 Fax(775)777-7219

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council will meet in a regular session on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1751 College A venue, Elko, Nevada, beginning at 4:00 P.M., P.D.S.T.

Attached with this notice is the agenda for said meeting of the Advisory Council. In accordance with NRS 241.020, the public notice and agenda were posted on the City of Elko Website at http://www.elkocitynv.gov/, the State of Nevada's Public Notice Website at https://notice.nv.gov, and in the following locations:

ELKO COUNTY COURTHOUSE- 571 Idaho Street, Street, Elko, NV 89801 Date/Time Posted: July 20, 2018 2: 10 p.m.

ELKO COUNTY LIBRARY -720 Court Street, Elko, NV 89801 Date/Time Posted: July 20, 2018 2:05 p.m.

ELKO POLICE DEPARTMENT- 1448 Silver Street, Elko NV 89801 Date/Time Posted: July 20, 2018 2: 15 p.m.

ELKO CITY HALL- 1751 College Avenue, Elko, NV 89801 Date/Time Posted: Jul 20 2018 2:00

Posted by: Shelb Archuleta Plannin Technician Name Title

The public may contact Shelby Archuleta by phone at (775) 777-7160 or by email at [email protected] to request supporting material for the meeting described herein. The agenda and supporting material is also available at Elko City Hall, 1751 College Avenue, Elko, NV.

Dated this 201h day of July, 2018.

NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Members of the public who are disabled and require special accommodations or assistance at the meeting are requested to notify the City of Elko Planni;zgDep ment, 1751 College-# Avenue , Elko, Nevada, 89801 or by calling (775) 777- 7160. . �Wr�, J --- Scott Wilkinson, Assistant City Manager ------�------

CITY OF ELKO REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA 4:00 P.M., P.D.S.T., THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018 ELKO CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1751 COLLEGE AVENUE, ELKO, NEVADA

CALL TO ORDER

The agenda for this meeting of the City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council (RAC) has been properly posted for this date and time in accordance with NRS requirements.

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Pursuant to N.R.S. 241, this time is devoted to comments by the public, if any, and discussion of those comments. No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item on the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on a successive agenda and identified as an item for possible action. ACTION WILL NOT BE TAKEN

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

April 26, 2018 - Regular Meeting FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

I. NEW BUSINESS

A. Review, consideration and possible action to elect officers. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

Election of officers takes place every July for a 1 year term.

B. Review, consideration, and possible recommendation to the Redevelopment Agency regarding changes to the approved design of Centennial Park, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

II. REPORTS

A. Storefront Improvement Program

B. Budget - Cathy Laughlin

C. Other COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Pursuant to N.R.S. 241, this time is devoted to comments by the public, if any, and discussion of those comments. No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item on the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on a successive agenda and identified as an item for possible action. ACTION WILL NOT BE TAKEN

NOTE: The Chairman or Vice Chairman reserves the right to change the order of the agenda and if the agenda is not completed, to recess the meeting and continue on another specified date and time. Additionally, the Redevelopment Advisory Council reserves the right to combine two or more agenda items, and/or remove an item from the agenda, or delay discussion relating to an item on the agenda at any time.

��;:RNMENT )(!:?lit?/ ' Scott Wilkinson Assistant City Manager CITY OF ELKO REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 4:00 P.M., P.D.S.T., THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 ELKO CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 1751 COLLEGE AVENUE, ELKO, NEV ADA

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Jon Karr, Chairman of the City Advisory Council (RAC), at 4:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Catherine Wines, ACAB Jeff Dalling Jon Karr Lina Blohm

Absent: Chris Johnson, RDA Don Newman ECV A John Kingwell, Elko Co. Sonja Sibert, GBC Steve Bowers, Elko Co. Schoo

City Staff:

co

gular Meeting FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

*** A motion was made by Lina Blohm, seconded by Catherine Wines to approve the minutes as presented.

*Motion passed unanimously. (4-0)

I. NEW BUSINESS

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 10 A. Review, consideration, and possible recommendation to the Redevelopment Agency, 2018 Storefront Improvement Grant Recipients and amounts allocated, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

2018 Storefront Improvement Grant applications were accepted from January 1, 2018 to March 30, 2018. RDA, at their February 27, 2018 meeting, increased the amount allocated to the 2018 Storefront Grant Program from $50,000 to $100,000.

Cathy Laughlin, City Planner, disclosed that she was a trustee of the hlin Family Trust, and excused herself from the meeting, because they were an appl · r the Storefront Grant Program.

were deemed complet The first applicatio in Trust was a facade improvement at 927 Idaho Street. It is an ext a photo and a project description. He then the committee time to consider the project. tions with a recommendation to the RDA.

of all of three projects before voting.

Chairman 't go through near as extensive, because they were way under budget and th ements. He was ready to approve all of them. He just had a few questions about t l.

Ms. Blohmwanted to nd it more than what Mr. Karr was explaining.

Catherine Wines said she was fine either way and disclosed that she was the Design Professional on the Patray Building and the Old Chicago.

Chairman Karr said he was ready to approve the first application and didn't have any questions. He asked what Mr. Dalling's thoughts were.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 10 Jeff Dalling said he didn't have any questions and he would approve it. He said he didn't have any problems with any of the projects.

Ms. Blohm asked if they were going to use the rating sheet, or if they were going to carte blanch. She saw that some projects were worthy of extensive renovations and would make a huge impact and others would not make such an impact. They do have extra monies available and they should discuss the use of those monies.

Mr. Dalling said they couldn't give everything to just the Commercial.

Ms. Blohm thought each project deserved a lot of discussion.

Mr. Wilkinson explained that under the Storefront Program t program if all of the funding is not allocated, or we don' · cations for the total amount. At the next RDA meeting they will hav ing the applications per the request, which is at $55,000, a t dditional applications through the remainder of the year. more than $25,000 to a particular project.

Ms. Blohm suggested they give those w projects.

Ms. Wines thought it wa impact. She recomme

ily a painting project. She asked Mr.

plained that the soffit, fascia, and some other things explained that it was an outside facade remodel and g look better.

n just the paint, it was the trim and changing the porch and facade.

Mr. Laughlin said the re going to put some stone work on the porch area.

Ms. Wines pointed out that the plan called for new window trim.

Mr. Laughlin said he bought the building 20 years ago and completely gutted it down to the frame and did a whole new interior. It's there to stay. They are trying to take advantage of a little bit of the money they pay into the downtown. He wished more people would do it.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 10 ***A motion was made by Catherine Wines, seconded by Jeff Dailing to recommend full funding of The Pat Laughlin Living Family Trust project.

*Motion passed unanimously. (4-0)

Mr. Wilkinson explained that Patray Asset, LLP had a request for a reimbursement of $25,000 for this project. They submitted four bids ranging from $78,845 to $85,798. The bids are in the packet. They are proposing a face lift on the building. We have the opr, unity to have the Design Professional help explain the project. It is an exterior facade · on. There are quite a few photographs contained in the application, along with historic os, and renderings showing the proposed project. He then explained the project fr ns included in the packet.

Ms. Wines said this was a great example of how inve when she was working on the Cowboys Arts and asked her to make his building look good too. H were popping out, so the two upper story windows wo were taking out the air conditioners off the front of the b inside was being removed, but that was art of the fundin story windows up above the door. She m

Ms. Blohmthought it was a worthwhile proj that block. She hoped it would become conta

Chairman Karr was s thought it fit the re

ded by Jeff Dailing to approve the request

*Motion passed unanimously. (4-0)

plication received was OC Restaurants, LLC, that's Old Chicago proposed at the Co otel Building at 345 4th Street. They requested the maximum reimbursable amount 5,000. They submitted four bids with the low bid at $439,241.53 and a high bid of $641,56 . He thought the reason for the range was that there was a lot of uncertainty associated with what was on the building. They are proposing exterior facade improvements, with a goal of restoring the look of the historical building. He thought it looked like a pretty good project for consideration. It fit within the Storefront Improvement Program. In addition to facade improvements they are looking at putting in a patio area for outdoor dining. He then went through the plans included in the packet.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 10 Dave Zorins, CEO for Northern Star Casinos, said he runs the casino part of the business. This would not be his project. He wanted to give some information about the owner. The owner is in Colorado, he owns 150 Wendy's Restaurants, and he bought the license for eight Old Chicago's. They are getting ready to open one in Haines, Kansas right now. He wants to put at least five in Phoenix. They are looking for the best thing to do at the Commercial. The owner is prepared to do this at the Commercial, if they can get it in at a budget that makes sense. Right now at the $439,000 it probably won't happen. It just doesn't make sense with all the other changes they have to make. He was charged with what to do with the property. Having a casino and competing with themselves downtown was tough. He gets worried about what's g · g to happen with this property if they don't go forward with the project. He would have Ii tin another application for $25,000 if this project didn't happen, so they wou up the outside of the building. He has to cut at least $100,000 happen.

Ms. Wines explained that she had a phone conference have gotten some money out of the patio and they contractors. They were going to meet with them the contractors is really interested in the building and t

Mr. Zorins would like to see the project. it. There are a lot of pizza parlors in town. This is an upscale bar, n an they do have other things on the menu. It would be a chain w certain rules. It would be a substantial investment in the town. He t owner to do other things down the road. This project would only take c · ding on the outside. There would still be other parts · ding that w addressed, and there wouldn't be the money immediate!

criteria, this was the Star Project, if you ight, provides economic revitalization, tion e , and it is consistent with the City's Master Plan. Redevelopment was all about. She would love to have the all the Old Chicago franchises, to come sit down of a nership they could help him with. This is the perfect would"' work .

Mr. Zorins said H . Holland would be interested in coming to town for something like this. He though ery interested in doing something with the building.

Ms. Wines agreed witfi Mr. Zorins. She wanted to let everyone know what a significant investment Northern Star Casino had already made in the downtown through Stockmen's. She thought it was a significant building to the history of Elko. Big name entertainment in the Casino industry in Nevada started in this building.

Ms. Blohm thought it was a gateway to downtown Elko. She suggested that they allocate $70,000, or the remaining, to the project, because it is a huge scale and it warrants that. It would show the partner that they are serious.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 10 Mr. Dalling said he wouldn't support that. He would be more than happy to give them the full budget of $25,000, but he thought Ms. Blohm was opening can of worms. They have the regulations in place. He asked why they had regulations in place if they weren't going to follow them.

Ms. Blohm answered because this is what Redevelopment is all about, energizing old buildings.

Mr. Dalling said he was over a million into his building and he accepte given. He wanted to see the Commercial restored. He thought the b was a huge investment and a great property. He thought they cou downtown. He also thought it was a great use of the space. He · dump more money into it than others.

Mr. Zorins wanted to ask if they would have to wait u , to fix up the building.

n, if they could submit the same packet

Ms. 1 ling t it would open a can of worms. She thought there was an opportunit help out Northern Star more, but not to break the rules for the application th

Mr. Wilkinson exp t the Demolition Program was for removal and reconstruction. The way that's adopted by RDA, he didn't see it providing an opportunity for demolition of a facade.

Ms. Wines said if they were going to bend the rules, that's where she wanted to ask the RDA to bend on that one, rather than the Storefront.

Mr. Wilkinson said they could make a recommendation for the RDA to look and see if they could approve an amount over $25,000. He wasn't saying that the board was going to approve that. If they don't and there is money remaining, it is in the Storefront Improvement Program to

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 10 continue accepting applications until the funding is consumed. That would open up the opportunity for additional applications. Then the RDA would need to decide if they wanted to evaluate them on a first come, first serve basis, which Mr. Wilkinson thought they should. Because they didn't receive applications by the deadline, so ifthere is any interest going forward they should evaluate the applications as they come in and make recommendations back up to the RDA. We want to put the money to work in the community earlier, rather than later.

Ms. Wines wanted to give more information on the light pole. Right now there is a light pole that is right in the middle of where the patio is. The pole is owned by NV E gy, billed to the City of Elko, but it's on Northern Star property. She has requested to be xt RDA agenda to ask for funds to move that light pole, because it would make sens it to be on Railroad Street. There are other partnerships, and opportunities, to help out wit

Ms. Blohm said they wanted to see energy within the bu· · opportunity to meet with the gentleman the next time

Mr. Zorins said he would be interested.

execute.

, it would get the go ahead with in the next 30

Ms. help the owner make his decision and asked if it was

Mr. Zorins said 1 · t to him and the cost of the outside was the key thing in going forward.

it was a good project, but he thought the numbers were low for the cost.

Ms. Wines explained that the bids were only for the outside. The whole project would be over $1 Million.

Chairman Karr said he was for the project and didn't have any problems at all approving $25,000.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 10 Ms. Blohm said as businesses grow in the downtown and the needs for monies grow, $25,000 is a mom and pop estimate that they started with because they were new at this and they weren't sure what the public would take into account. She asked if there was any way to get more flexibility in the numbers.

Chairman Karr said they could bring the Program back and recommend a floating scale.

Ms. Blohm suggested going off the rating sheets.

Chairman Karr didn't think they could do it retroactively, but mayb

Mr. Wilkinson said they would have to take a look at the proje RDA, to make sure it could be funded. Then you could prop Improvement Program that the RDA could consider, and

Ms. Blohm said looking at the minutes of the last Some people on the board wanted an ending bal · with a new surface. In her estimation that was not the blight and providing renovation and revitalization to busi allowing businesses to flourish in the do Let's put money where it's going to allo

ss vacant buildings. There en action and said we're going nues kee oming in like they are, and we can all of that and commit it over a period of time

by Lina Blohm to fully fund the Old

*Motion passed unanimously. (4-0)

A.

Ms. Laughlin eported that JM Caprio/as was I 00% complete and I 00% funded, Western Folklife Center is I 00% complete and I 00% funded, Hesson Hardware is I 00% complete and the application for reimbursement was received this and in review process, and the Gerber Law Office is I 00% complete and the funding request hasn't been received. After all applicants have been reimbursed the 2017 Storefront Grant Programs will be completed and funded.

Ms. Blohm asked what the total amount of money they spent was.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 10 ------

Ms. Laughlin said it was around $62,000.

B. Budget - Cathy Laughlin

Ms. Blohm said in the budget line item for the Storefront there was $100,000 allocated and a $26, 000 debit against it.

Ms. Laughlin said that was from the 2017 Storefront Program. change the budget to reflect the two differentyears .

Mr. Dailing asked ifthe $75,000 for Public-Private Pa account, since no one applied for the Demolition Pro

Ms. Laughlin said when RDA and City Counci budget cycle, that's what it is shown at aga ·

Ms. Laughlin explained that wa tower. The entire Tower Project nd there were two transfers into the RDA, one for $5 , ne for $85, 020 from the DBA and private donations.

C.

d at point would they start the discussion about

that they didn 't have the funding for it right now. They are waiting is year's tax increment in, they have an allocation/or $250,000 for the park n, which is out to bid. They need to see what the bids come in at, start that proj and then move into Project 3. There are funds, but it wouldn't leave a cushion for an of the things that have already been allocated.

Mr. Wilkinson said based on budget, they would be looking at an ending fund balance of $460,000.

Ms. Wines asked what each block end was going to cost.

Ms. Laughlin said it was $189, 000 for each.

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 10 Ms. Wines asked ifit would be next year's construction season. (Yes)

Ms. Blohm said it was estimated as $415, 000 for three block ends.

Ms. Laughlin said that didn't include the west end of 4th Street or the east end of 6th Street. We will revisit that as soon as we get through Project No. 2.

There was further discussion regarding the Park Expansion Pr

Ms. Blohm thought at some point they needed to talk abo was built with grant money.

Ms. Wines asked ifMs. Blohm was referring to � would apply for.

Ms. Blohm said that they would apply for.

Ms. Blohm said the discussion wa . At some point have an agenda item to discuss other ways at a lot of the Centennial Park could have been paid for throu

The

ss, the meeting was adjourned.

Jon Karr, Chairman Lina Blohm, Secretary

April 26, 2018 Redevelopment Advisory Council Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 10 Agenda Item # I.A.

City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council Agenda Action Sheet

1. Title: Review, consideration and possible action to elect officers, FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

2. Meeting Date: July 26, 2018

3. Agenda Category: NEW BUSINESS

4. Time Required: 15 minutes

5. Background Information: Election of officers takes place every July for a 1 year term.

6. Budget Information: Appropriation Required: N/ A Budget amount available: N/A Fund name: NIA

7. Business Impact Statement: Not Required

8. Supplemental Agenda Information: By-laws

9. Recommended Motion: Pleasure of the Advisory Council

10. Prepared By: Cathy Laughlin, City Planner

11. Committee/Other Agency Review:

12. Agency Action:

13. Agenda Distribution: City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council (RAC) Bylaws (First Amended and Restated)

ARTICLE I ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE; RECITALS

Section 1 The City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council (RAC) was established by the City of Elko Redevelopment Agency (RDA) on December 11, 2012.

Section 2 Whereas, on or about February 12, 2013, the RDA adopted the first set of Bylaws for the RAC; and

Whereas, the RDA has determined to amend and restate the Bylaws; and

Whereas the redevelopment and revitalization of the City's downtown is an integral component of the Redevelopment Plan; and

Whereas the RDA is committed to promoting the downtown area as a principal focal point for Elko community life, and making it an attractive, safe and economically sound city center with shopping, entertainment, cultural and recreational opportunities; and

Whereas the RDA recognizes and values community collaboration while maintaining the distinctive character of Elko as a pioneering and enterprising city; and

Whereas the RDA wishes to seek advice from a diverse yet representative advisory committee to advise it with respect to implementing the RDA Plan or any plans subsequently adopted for the implementation of the RDA Plan, to propose Plan amendments, to assist with marketing and economics as requested by the Redevelopment Agency, to suggest projects and priorities for possible expenditures during the budget process, to explore grants or other external funding sources, to develop Design Guidelines for possible use by the Redevelopment Agency, and to advise the Redevelopment Agency about ways to attract new business.

Based upon the foregoing recitals, the RDA hereby finds and directs that the RAC shall be subject to the following bylaws commencing on the date of adoption by the RDA:

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP, APPOINTMENT TERMS

Section1 The RDA shall appoint five (5) members to the RAC board. The RAC board members shall satisfy the following criteria or have the following affiliations or associations, and shall serve without compensation: (1) a member of the RDA, (2) the president or designee of the Downtown Business Association, (3) the chairman or designee of the Arts and Culture Advisory Board, (4) one member who resides within the City of Elko incorporated boundary, and (5) one stakeholder from the redevelopment area. In the event that one of these members is not able to maintain his or her position, the RDA may select other representatives to serve. Membership shall also include four (4) ex-officio nonvoting members, being representatives of the Elko County School District, Great Basin College, Elko County, and the Elko Convention and Visitors Authority.

Section 2 The members of the RAC shall be appointed by the RDA annually in July; provided, in the event of a vacancy, the RDA may appoint an interim member for a term up to and including the next July 31. There shall be no limit on the number of reappointments of the members.

Section 3 Minimum Qualifications for appointment to the RAC include:

Page 1 of 4 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 ' a. Interest in the City of Elko community. b. Ability to work cooperatively with individuals, groups, community agencies and organizations. c. Willingness to meet and conduct business under the Nevada Open Meeting Law.

Section 4 Any RAC board member (excluding ex officio members) who accrues more than three (3) consecutive unexcused absences, or fails to attend more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the regularly scheduled meetings within a calendar year, shall be considered to have resigned and that person's membership shall thereupon automatically terminate. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to excused absences. Excused absences are defined as absences due to illness of a member or a person in a member's family, employment­ related activities, or other instances as approved by the Chairperson on a case-by-case basis. Notification of absences is to be made to the Secretary of the RAC.

Section 5 Any board member may be removed or suspended by the RDA for good cause, as determined by the RDA.

ARTICLE Ill OFFICES, DUTIES AND APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

Section 1 The RAC shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary from its members in January of each year. There is no minimum or maximum on the number of times a member may serve in one of the elected offices. In the event of a vacancy in an elected office, a special election may be held at any time during the year to fill the vacancy.

Section 2 The offices and duties of the officers shall be as follows:

a. Chairperson: To preside over meetings of the RAC and to ensure that actions are properly taken, to sign official documents and correspondence on behalf of the RAC, to assist City Staff in preparing agendas, and to represent the RAC at City Council and RDA meetings, and other official functions. b. Vice-Chairperson: To assume the duties of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, and to assist with publicity efforts as needed. c. Secretary: To sign or attest official documents of the RAC, to keep minutes of the meetings, and to review any record-keeping functions of the RAC.

ARTICLE IV RESPONSIBILITIES, POWERS, AND DUTIES

Section 1 The responsibilities, powers and duties of the RAC shall include, but not-be-limited to, the following:

a. Hold meetings in accordance with the Open Meeting Law (Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 241) to promote the exchange of information and otherwise fulfill the purposes stated in these Bylaws. b. Obtain public input. C. Assist in the development of Design Guidelines and any restrictions or controls upon the request of and subject to the approval by the Elko Redevelopment Agency. d. Recommend proposed amendments to the City of Elko Redevelopment Plan. e. Advise the RDA on implementation of the RDA Master Plan and any implementation documents. f. Monitor and evaluate progress in carrying out the vision for the purpose of advising the RDA. g. To the extent delegated by the RDA, oversee and coordinate among other advisory bodies, estimate the overall needs for resources to accomplish the various projects, and provide direction in the allocation of resources among these projects.

Page 2 of 4 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 h. Sort among competing priorities and conflicting activities within the scope of RAC's area of responsibility. i. Communicate the information regarding implementation of the Redevelopment Plan and implementation documents to the community, stakeholders, and interested organizations. j. Give recognition to people and groups as they accomplish action items and project implementation activities. k. As requested by the RDA, help with the identification, and recruitment, of Project Champions, as that term is defined in the Redevelopment Plan or associated implementation documents.

Pursuant to NRS Chapter 279, the RDA is responsible for overseeing, managing, and coordinating redevelopment and revitalization projects within the redevelopment area pursuant to the Redevelopment Plan. The RDA will, in its discretion and within the scope of its statutory authority (1) be the authority for implementation of the RDA Plan, (2) approve project budgets, (3) resolve conflicting priorities, (4) secure funding for specific projects, and (5) resolve project challenges presented by the City of Elka's regulatory structure. These duties and all other duties given to the RDA by statute may not be delegated to the RAC.

ARTICLE V MEETINGS, RECORDS, QUORUMS, AND VOTING

Section 1 The RAC shall meet quarterly or as needed as determined by the Chairperson of the RAC.

Section 2 Special meetings of the RAC may be called as directed by:

a. By the Chairperson of the RAC; b. By a majority vote of a quorum at a meeting of the RAC; c. By request of a majority of the members of the RAC; d. By the RDA; or d. By the City Planner or his/her designee.

Section 3 All meetings shall be properly noticed, posted and conducted according to the Open Meeting Law, NRS Chapter 241.

Section 4 Three (3) members of the RAC shall constitute a quorum. No action may be taken without at least a quorum. The quorum shall not be reduced by abstentions or recusals. A majority vote of the members of the RAC who are in attendance and able to vote shall be necessary for official action.

Section 5 The RAC shall comply with these Bylaws for all business of the RAC.

Section 6 The RAC shall keep a written record of all meetings.

Section 7 Only such business specified in the published agenda for the meeting shall be transacted at a meeting of the RAC.

ARTICLE VI FILING WITH THE CITY CLERK

Section 1 The executed original of these Bylaws must be filed with the City Clerk within ten ( 10) days of adoption by the RDA

Section 2 Originals of the agenda, agenda backup items, and certificate of posting are to be filed with the office of the City Clerk at the time of the posting of the agenda.

Page 3 of 4 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 Section 3 The executed original of the meeting minutes is to be filed with the office of the Elko City Clerk within ten (10) calendar days of approval.

ARTICLE VII ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT

Section 1 These Bylaws shall become effective upon adoption by the RDA.

Section 2 An amendment to these Bylaws may be introduced and initiated by a majority vote of either the RAC or the RDA. The proposed amendment shall be acted upon at the next regular meeting of the RDA.

Section 3 The RAC is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Open Meeting Law. Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 241, the RAC must prepare, publish and follow an agenda. Any action items must be submitted to the City Planner or his/her designee at least ten ( 10) calendar days prior to the official meeting date. Appropriate back up material must be submitted with the item.

Section 4 Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the RDA may, in its discretion, dissolve and terminate the RAC, or restrict or amend these Bylaws and the duties and responsibilities of the RAC to the extent permitted by the Redevelopment Plan and the Nevada Revised Statutes.

ELKO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Its:------

DATED:------· 2016.

ATTEST:

Page 4 of 4 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 9, 2016 Agenda Item # I.B.

City of Elko Redevelopment Advisory Council Agenda Action Sheet

1. Title: Review, consideration, and possible recommendation to the Redevelopment Agency regarding changes to the approved design of Centennial Park, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION

2. Meeting Date: July 26, 2018

3. Agenda Category: NEW BUSINESS

4. Time Required: 10 minutes

5. Background Information

6. Budget Information: Appropriation Required: N/ A Budget amount available: N/A Fund name: N/ A

7. Business Impact Statement: Required I Not Required

8. Supplemental Agenda Information Park design

9. Recommended Motion: Pleasure of the RAC

10. Prepared By: Cathy Laughlin, City Planner

11. Committee/Other Agency Review:

12. Agency Action:

13. Agenda Distribution:

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Vol. 65, No. 4 ECONOMIC GROWTH April 2018 Strategic outreach paves way for Inside this issue new Economic Improvement District Grant funding and event planning guide foster inau­ The newly approved Economic with the Downtown Alliance, man­ gural events. Funding and Improvement District in Evansville, aged through the Southwest Indiana how-to tips ensure quality and IN (est. pop. 117,429), will provide Chamber of Commerce, one of my sustainability ...... •••. 2 a more sustainable effort than was goals was to create an improvement possible with past downtown orga­ district that had a long-term sustain­ Study quantifies the value nizations, says Joshua Armstrong, able funding piece behind it. Then, of downtown. Tax revenue, director of the Downtown Alliance. as our downtown master planning jobs, and new residents grow "Our community has a history process moved forward, it really rose in city centers .....••..•.• 3 of putting together really well­ to the top that this was critical for our intentioned downtown organizations community." ( Listening, encouraging, and that last about three years because In Indiana, the majority of creating connections. Holis­ there is no ongoing funding," says property owners who represent the tic support leads to entrepre­ Armstrong. "When I came on board ( Continued on page 8) neurial efforts .•..•••..... 6

Repurposed shipping containers offerflexible, ATTRACTION affordablespaces. From tiny Children's programming draws housing to full-blown enter­ tainment districts •..•••... 9 families downtown

Idea Exchange. No drones Because little people usually costume parades, main street trick or allowed, Making it easier to require big people to drive them, treating, and early-evening fireworks stay longer, Gee wiz parking supervise them, and pay their way, on New Year's Eve. technology, and more .... 11 children's events are a great way to Here are seven examples of pro­ bring families downtown. gramming that attracts families @DowntownDevelopment.com Cities nationwide are adding a to enjoy all that downtown has to wide array of children's program­ offer: First Time Event ming to downtown calendars in an • Schedule kid-centric down­ Planning Guide effort to attract those families. Some town tours. The Kids Downtown Uptown Works efforts include folding children's Makers Tour launched in York, PA introductory video activities into existing events, while (est. pop. 43,718), in 2016 proved Details on Las Vegas's others are kids-only fun, and others so popular that the sold-out, one-off Container Park still focus on particularly kid-friendly became a series of tours instead. holidays with Easter Egg hunts, ( Continued on page 4)

© 2018 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ATTRACTION Grant funding and event planning guide foster inaugural events

The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) The number of applications has grown has offered its Start-Up Grant program since from six in 2013 to 14 for this year. "All of 2013 to encourage first-time events in Roches­ the Start-Up Grant applications we receive ter, MN (est. pop. 106,769). The grant funds, are juried by the RDA's volunteer Downtown combined with a comprehensive event planning Cultural Initiatives (DCI) committee, which is guide, have allowed the Alliance to bring a wide made up of artists, marketing and event profes­ range of new events and activities to the down­ sionals, and community leaders," says McElroy. town without taxing the group's resources. Once the 30-day grant period closes, an RDA Initially, the program offered up to $1,000 staff member compiles all of the application to applicants hosting first-time events down­ information into a PowerPoint presentation, town. "Five years later, the RDA is now able to which is provided to the DCI committee for offer up to $3,000 for approved events," says scoring. "The applications are scored on loca­ Karli McElroy, RDA's program manager. "The tion, community engagement, focus, marketing Start-Up Grant was created to help first-time appeal, and alignment with our organization's event planners launch their ideas, while addi- mission," she says. tionally creating unique, vibrant, The grant program has evolved over the "The Start-Up Grant allows and urban experiences downtown past five years based on feedback from the us to activate various areas that enrich the community." DCI committee, applicants, and observations of downtown throughout the The RDA is funded in part by of previous marketing strategies. Two of the year without stretching the a portion of property taxes paid biggest changes have been the increased grant organization's staffcapacity." by commercial property owners amount, and a change to the program name. within the 44-block Downtown The grant amount increase, "allowed the RDA Special Service District, the city of Rochester, to support larger events that would provide the and Mayo Clinic. About 45 percent of the orga­ ability to have a greater impact in the down­ nization's budget is self-generated "through our town." And last year, the program name was core portfolio of annual events," says McElroy. changed from stART-up grant to the current "The RDA dedicates a portion of our funding Start-Up Grant program. "This most recent annually to the Start-Up Grant program." change was subtle, but one that may have Initially, outreach for the grant program contributed to receiving more applications with focused on arts organizations. Staff members greater diversity, as some thought the previous promoted the program at monthly meetings stART-up grant was only open to artists," says hosted by a local artist's collective and via McElroy. "Other smaller changes included an personalized emails to local arts organizations. online application in addition to a paper appli­ That initial focus has shifted as the program cation, and greater promotion of the grant on has grown. "Over the years, we have leveraged social media." partnerships with multiple community orga­ The RDA's mission is, "to be a unique, nizations to expand outreach with e-blasts to vibrant, urban experience - a central gathering hundreds of nonprofits in southeastern Min­ place - for the community that is attractive, nesota, with blog posts, and sharing content in inviting, fun, and livable," McElroy says. "As diverse professional networking social media a staff of five, we accomplish this mission pages," McElroy says. "Additionally, this past through planning several large community year we spent $35 through Facebook and Ins­ events and programs within the downtown. The tagram posts promoting the Start-Up Grant and Start-Up Grant allows us to activate various saw almost double the number of applications areas of downtown throughout the year without from previous years." stretching the organization's staff capacity."

2 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 To compliment the grant program and expectation of receiving applications for events ensure high quality events, the Alliance last that are very detailed and well outlined. How­ ( year published a comprehensive event planning ever, sometimes applications may outline a great guide. The guide includes information on event idea, but fail to consider standard event planning development, selection of third party vendors, or logistical components," McElroy cautions. Downtown Development.com finding sponsors, marketing the event, working "Because of this, it's helpful to create resources To read the complete First Time Event with volunteers, event-day management, and for applicants like a First-time Event Planning Planning Guide and post-event issues. Checklists and forms round Guide, to guide individuals through areas of the Grant Guidelines out the basics for new event producers. Last possible inexperience and to develop skills. document. visit our year's events ranged from a jazz festival to a "Also, it's important to have a group or website and click on poetry slam. committee of individuals who understand event Web Extras. "Both the grant funding and planning planning," she adds. "These individuals can guide have helped creative individuals in our provide thoughtful, constructive feedback to community hone their skills in event planning applicants about the overall program if you 're and lay out a framework for the creation of not receiving the number and type of applica­ sustainable annual events for the community to tions expected." enjoy," McElroy says. Contact: Karli Mc Elroy, Rochester Downtown When implementing a program similar Alliance, (507) 216-9883, kmcelroy@rdowntown­ to the Start-Up Grant, "it is easy to have the alliance.com. m

ECONOMIC 6ROWTH Study quantifies the value of downtown to the city and beyond

A study released in Januarysuggests the lasting • Despite the uncertainfuture of retail, downtown benefits of investment in downtowns and city centers. retail is still a significant presence, averaging 16 per­ ( From driving tax revenue and business activity to cent of citywide retail sales. spurring smartdevelopment and innovative work­ • Downtowns continue to serve as major employ­ places, downtowns play a pivotal role in the long-term ment centers, accounting for 30 percent of citywide health of a region, says the International Downtown jobs and 40 percent of citywideoffice space. They Association's report, The Value of U.S. Downtowns and are also adapting to workplace trends, containing Center Cities. 60 percent of citywidecoworking space, 39 percent The reportis the result of an eight-month study of citywide creative jobs, and 31 percent of citywide by IDA, in partnershipwith global firm Stantec's Urban knowledge jobs. Places team, and 13 downtown place management • Residents aren't just moving to cities - they organizations from large cities across the nation. are moving to downtowns. Downtown residential is Goals of the report include creation of a replicable, increasing much faster than the rest of the city(38 accessible, and standard methodologyto calculate percent compared to five percent). Downtowns also the value of downtowns which can be used to assess saw a 27-percent increase in residential housing units progress and make peer comparisons. from 2010-2015, compared to the city's average of six The research clearly demonstrates the important percent. impact that the 13 participating downtowns have on • Downtowns are multi-modal hubs. Downtowns their cityand region, says IDA. consistently had higher Walk Scores, Bike Scores, Among the report's key findings are: and Transit Scores than their greater cities, and had higher rates of non-single-occupancy vehicle commut­ • Downtowns average just three percent of city­ ers (43 percent compared to citywide28 percent). wide land, but account for anywherefrom 13 percent For more information, visit /DA at www.ida-downtown.org/ to 64 percent of the citywidetax revenue. ewebldynamicpage.aspxMebcode=VODTl 7.

April 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 Children's programming draws families

downtown - Continued from page I

The tours aim to fill a gap in children's pro­ partnering businesses' advertising channels, gramming downtown while also showcasing but because kids having fun are always a good businesses that cater to kids. photo opp, the event also generated several To launch its inaugural event, Downtown, feature stories in local media outlets. Inc. approached some of its downtown busi­ When the event sold out three weeks in nesses that already had kid-friendly products advance, and parents began asking to sign up to be tour sites. Businesses that offer hands-on for a "next time," the organization realized it children's activities, host summer camps, or was onto something. Sticking with the same serve as birthday party venues, are the focus. four-stop, hands-on format, the Kids Down­ The hope is that if parents enjoy stops along town Maker Tour began being offered every the tour, they may patronize the businesses in few months throughout the year. Tickets for the future, says Downtown, Inc. upcoming tours were selling even before tour The first tour targeted children ages four stops were announced, says Downtown, Inc. to nine. The child's ticket cost $20, with • Set aside one day each month for parents attending for free. At each stop, par­ family fun. The Family Fun Saturdays ticipants learned details about the business series was launched in Leesburg, VA (est. owner and/or the business, and had opportuni­ pop. 42,616), in 2016. The goal of the event, ties to become "makers" hosted by the Leesburg Historic Downtown via on-site activities. Association, is to "have a lot of businesses Kids got to make pretzels open with a lot of kid-friendly events on at the York City Pretzel the inside, so you can check out stores that Company, bath tizzies at you may not get to see any other time." Free the Sunrise Soap Com­ Italian ice, free museum admission, and shop­ pany, personal pizzas at ping and dining discounts are some of the YorKitchen, and crafts at enticements offered. Activities throughout u... - Creative York. the downtown include opportunities to visit The tour was pro­ with adoptable pets, live music, food trucks, �· moted inexpensively and dance demonstrations, to name a few. 1 via social media, Businesses need not be child-centered to par­ e-newsletters, press ticipate, instead offering face painting, chalk (1\l_ ...... (10)VO'l'V"il"'"5ftop (2)lqC ,_. (ll)Th•O.•'"''"' FAMILY (3Jll_>_,.,0,,,.. FOY<>df ..... � • (l2JL..,,--1IC<>"•-• releases, and on art, and other family fun at their locations. (4)Ro_.,....,.Womo� l\)JT .....-N C•lo FUN \Sll-­ (Hl'"-_... (6)$<,G•Mao"O"• ,,si-·-,.. While Family Fun Saturdays is a Down­ SATURDAY (1}21S-,0,"'­ (16)"-•-1..... 0.0 (l)R-�P· (H)C_C ... (9JW--,C"'!lto4""" 1•1)><...... ,.. - town Association program, attracting more customers is also a goal of the municipal­ ity, which set aside funds for marketing and events, and promotes the Saturday series via its networks and mayoral posts to the Family Fun Saturdays Facebook page. The family friendly event series is also promoted via press releases and through participat­ ing businesses' social media platforms. And a downloadable two-page event map and brochure is posted to Facebook prior to each Family Fun Saturday. On event days, posts encourage attendance and invite attendees to share comments and photos.

4 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 • Family friendly farmers markets. Children search To make the Bradenton Farmer's Market in for the popular Mice on Main. ( downtown Bradenton, FL (est. pop. 50,193), more family friendly, organizers invited com­ munity groups to host free weekly children's activities. Children visit the Family Activities Booth to collect a free Family Activities Bag containing materials for the week's project. Each time a child participates, he or she earns credits toward "Market Bucks," spend­ able for healthy market foods. And every third Saturday, the nonprofit Mainly Art hosts dozens of additional artists and craft­ mice were inspired ers, live music, and food on land adjacent to by the classic sto­ the farmers market, thus expanding the foot­ rybook Goodnight print of the event and reasons for families to Moon, in which a come downtown. mouse is hiding on • Celebrate Children's Day on June 14. each page. A sculp­ In Morgantown, WV (est. pop. 29,660), Main ture of the book Street Morgantown hosts a special Kids Day and one mouse each year. is mounted on a Over 100 businesses and organizations fountain in front of transform the city center with more than 60 a downtown hotel. Giant slip and slide activities both in their business locations and Eight other mice are brings summer fun lining the event area. For example, one local installed throughout a nine-block section of downtown. ( bank has a clown behind the teller's window the city center. Since its installation in 2000, handing out treats; the library offers an inter­ Mice on Main has grown to have its own web­ active butterfly tent; and one toy store gives site (miceonmain.com), T-shirt, board game, kids temporary tattoos. Nearly a dozen res­ Christmas play, and a storybook offering hints taurants offer food and drink specials. And a about the locations of the mice. A list of hints giant sandbox is constructed in the city center is also available on the website. for the event, as well. • Bring summer fun to the city center. The vendors who participate range from One way to beat the summer heat and draw retailers, to museums, to health care organi­ families downtown is to install a giant slip zations. However, they share an interest in and slide attraction. Turnkey event producer connecting with children and their parents in Slide the City brings 1,000-foot water slides, a fun and casual environment. There is no fee or even full block parties, to cities nation­ for vendor participation other than the table wide. The company handles logistics and rental. marketing, and describes the event as, "a The event has been going strong for family friendly slip-and-slide water party," nearly three decades, yet has little nega- with live music, food, drinks, and "the big­ tive impact on the Main Street Morgantown gest slip and slide ever to hit asphalt," and budget. Sponsorships, and a requirement that assures, "Don't worry, we've got it padded. every vendor provide a children's activity, This slide's got more cushion than your allow the organization to host this free, four­ grandpa's orthopedic sneakers." hour event that draws more than 4,000 people Families are encouraged to bring water downtown. buckets, floaties, and non-realistic water guns • Interactive public art for children. In and to make a day of it splashing around Greenville, SC ( est. pop. 67,453), children get in the city center. Visit slidethecity.com to seek out bronze mice on main street. The for details.

April 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 • Celebrate young local artists. March events. Paintings, drawings, and sculpture from is Youth Art Month, an annual event designed 10 local public schools are displayed in the to draw attention to the value of art and art windows of 62 downtown businesses for the education for children. The Council for Art entire month. Education provides useful information at In Ann Arbor, MI (est. pop. 113,934), in their website, councilforarteducation.org, addition to downtown art installations, and a including a list of state art education asso­ map to guide pedestrians to the displays, there's ciations and a list of state Youth Art Month also a ceremony with local dignitaries, artists, coordinators. In addition, local school teach­ and their friends and families. ers are often involved in planning activities And in Kent, WA (est. pop. 92,411), the for the month. event is further expanded to include make-and­ The celebration in Westfield, NJ ( est. take art projects for children at a half-dozen pop. 30,316), is typical of many downtown downtown stores. lill

ECONOMIC GROWTH Listening, encouraging, and creating connections helps launch more entrepreneurial projects

Meeting entrepreneurs at local haunts, Development Council helped put together the knowledge of vacant spaces, and a keen knack financing. "We have a revolving loan fund for listening to and supporting new ideas and can loan up to $50,000 for a new busi­ are being credited for filling a key down- ness," says Parisi. The loan pool is built from town building with a new and much-needed a variety of funding sources including tourism business in Somerset, PA (est. pop. 6,277). dollars, local community foundation support, Uptown Works, a cowork space, will be and various USDA programs. "We offer low­ located in the historicWorld's Attic building interest financing. However, there always needs in the heart of downtown. to be another lender, which is usually a local "It is a crucial building in our county bank, but could come from some other funding seat," says Daniel Parisi, entrepreneurial and source. In this case, we lent $50,000 and the innovation coach with the Somerset County bank covered the rest," he says. Economic Development Council. First-time developer Emily Korns is buying To support the new venture, the Economic and renovating the World's Attic building in the heart of Somerset at a main intersection downtown. She is also meeting a growing need Regional approach strengthens all in this small borough. "I was working remotely for a company To furtherstrengthen the cowork startup Uptown Works, based in the DC area and found myself in a Daniel Parisi, entrepreneurial & innovation coach with the constant search for flex office space," she says. Somerset CountyEconomic Development Council, is helping "All I needed was a desk, an Internet connec­ owner Emily Korns make connections with coworking spaces tion, and my computer, but all of the spaces I in two nearby towns. "If we are all connected to create this was looking at in town, I had to furnish myself, regional ecosystem, it will help us all. It may go so far as a tele­ and it was more than I wanted to spend. It conference setup. We are tryingto build the biggest [cowork] didn't meet my needs as a remote worker." communitywe possibly can in this rural area," he says. At first, she tried to encourage other entre­ preneurs that she met in local coffee shops to

6 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 launch a cowork space. Finally, with encour­ Somerset, Inc. has also helped Korns make agement from Regina Coughenour, executive connections within the homeowners associa­ director of Somerset Inc., the borough's Main tions of two nearby ski resorts where people ( Street Program, Korns decided to create a are working remotely. And Parisi has begun Downtown Development.com cowork space herself. working with 40 new entrepreneurs in recent months who are potential members for the To view the Uptown Entrepreneurs need varied levels Works Introduction cowork space. video, visit our website of support Coworking for rural areas just makes and click on Web While the cowork concept is not new, it is sense, Coughenour says. "Every day I feel like Extras. new to this rural area and a close relationship I'm meeting someone who does something with the Somerset County EDC and Somerset different remotely. I have a neighbor who Inc. have helped move the project along. The does blogging for [ a company] in California. two groups worked closely with Korns to refine Another guy does finances, and we have people her business plan, review marketing materi­ who do coding out of their garage - it just als, and provide introductions throughout the goes on and on." county. Before her purchase of the building was Listen, ask, and engage even finalized, Korns had already launched an When it comes to encouraging startups, it Uptown Works website, complete with a survey is important to be able to connect with people for potential members, and a contest to incen­ who have ideas, Korns says. "I think Regina tivize providing her with contact information and Dan are excellent listeners and spent an - in exchange for an email address, visitors awful lot of time in the places where I was were entered to win a one-year reserved desk hanging out, the coffee shops. I saw them a membership to Uptown Works. The website lot, we started talking a lot, they were listen­ also lists the benefits of coworking, the range ( of membership options, and it features a down­ ing a lot, and it's really the conversations with loadable brochure. Regina that helped me move forward." Rather than write her own press releases, Listen for new ideas, and keep the conver­ Korns leveraged the reach and relationships sation going, Coughenour advises. "If I hear of the Main Street organization by having something I think is really good, I try to share Somerset Inc. handle that aspect of the market­ with as many people as possible," she says. "I ing. The organization has also alerted Korns realize our organization is limited, so the more to opportunities to attend downtown events I can share, the more chance there is of the idea at which she might meet prospective cowork becoming contagious and of someone pick- members. ing it up and running with it. If you keep that conversation going, good things are bound to Support should be ongoing happen." Both organizations have "committed to Downtown leaders need to be out talking helping me continue to refine the business plan, to and listening to people in the community in help me with marketing, and they are con­ order to find the potential entrepreneurs, Korns stantly making referrals to my business," Korns advises. "Pop in and ask, 'Hey, what are you says. "Dan, in particular, is doing a lot in terms working on? What are you thinking about?' of connecting me to legal help, tax help, the That helped me get from thinking about some­ different professionals I need on my team to be thing to doing something," she says. successful. More than anything, they've been Contact: Regina Coughenour, Somerset Inc., advocates and cheerleaders, which is what you (8/4) 443-1748, [email protected]; Emily need when you have a new idea. They under­ Korns, Uptown Works, (412) 600-6774, Emily@ stood and supported the concept in its infancy uptownworks.co; Daniel Parisi, Somerset County l and helped me explain it to people, and encour­ Economic Development Council, (814) 445-9655, aged me to move forward." [email protected]. m

April 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 7 Strategic outreach paves way for new

Economic Improvement District -Continuedfrompage 1

majority of property worth within a defined geo­ owners at their monthly meetings, and with the graphic area can petition their local government Downtown Neighborhood Association, which to form an improvement district. includes both tenants and homeowners. "And "We're the fifth such improvement district while all that was going on, we continued to in the state," Armstrong says. "And we are the build consensus with the city council members largest in terms of size and assessments paid by that would vote on formation of the district," property owners." says Armstrong. "We had one-on-one meetings Winning over downtown residents was vital with every city council member, discussing to the EIDs success. "We had a great deal of with them the benefits, and how this provides support from our largest eight or 10 property benefits in addition to what the city is already owners, and because of that, we knew hitting the doing. We can't use an EID as a replacement of assessed valuation needed wasn't going to be a functions that city government is already pro­ problem. What was important for us was get­ viding, but we told the story about improving ting into the condominiums and meeting condo our central business district and our downtown owners, because roughly one third of our parcels and how a healthy community radiates outward are residential condos. We realized right away from that. This is another tool to give us that that getting the support of the condo owners was 'umph' in our downtown," he says. going to be critical in hitting our threshold." Petitions, a document on which individual A series of meetings was held with indi­ supporters could request formation of the EID, vidual property owners, with groups of condo were mailed out or hand-delivered, depend- ing on the relationship the New Economic Improvement District looks to the future Downtown Alliance had with individual stakeholders. The The first assessments for the newly approved Economic Improvement District process took about 90 days, in Evansville, IN, will be paid in July. Joshua Armstrong, director of the Downtown followed by a hearing with the Alliance, will transition from that role to executive director of the new EID. city council where "remonstra­ "Our first 18 months is set up, with some planning pieces and more unsexy tors were able to speak as to why stuff," says Armstrong. 'We need to develop a landscape plan and a beautifica­ they were opposed, and where tion plan for the district, and a branding plan and logo. We need to decide what an engineered and planned to call ourselves to the general public - I don't think Economic Improvement procession of property owners of District is a sexy name, so we need to retain some guidance on that. We need all kinds who supported district to create a high-quality, interactive website, and fund some expenses incurred formation had an opportunity to get up and speak about why it during the process of district formation." was important from their point Some first-year funding will also be earmarked for what Armstrong calls of view." "quick wins," such as beautification and landscape enhancement and upgraded The viewpoint of shop holiday decor. Marketing, business attraction and recruitment, clean and safe keepers and restaurants was dif­ activities, are also goals. ferent than that of large property The long-term goal is to be a transformational organization for the down­ owners, banks, a local casino, town and to be involved in the projects prioritized in the Downtown Master and residents, says Armstrong, Plan, such as adding a park to the main street and building a neighborhood of which is why it was important creatives. In addition to "driving what this master plan wants us to do, we will to have a wide array of opinions look at other opportunitiesfor the EID to grow a bit, such as a CDC [revolving voiced. Stakeholder desires loan fund] to assist in getting some buildings done in a way that a traditional for­ varied from clean and safe profit might not be able to," Armstrong says. activities to talent attraction for l_ large employers to, "nonprofits

8 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 speaking about how it impacts client, work­ condo building also had one resident who acted force, and donor experiences when coming into as a building captain of sorts. And the organi­ the downtown," he says. zation's board members were asked to handle ( The city council unanimously approved the approaches to any downtown stakeholders, and EID at the end of November. Two weeks later, especially out-of-town property owners, with an originating meeting with the new EID board whom they had relationships. "We also reached was held and notices were sent out to property out to the commercial real estate community owners detailing their 2018 assessments. so that brokers and agents knew what we were doing," Armstrong says. "We had property sales Dealing with the naysayers and purchases taking place during the process "I think that there were some naysay- and they were able to let folks know what was ers who we were able to get on board," says going on. There were a few cases Armstrong. "But, I also got some really good where new property owners reached "This is another tool advice from Brad Segal at PUMA [Progres­ out to me." to give us that 'umph' sive Urban Management Associates]. He told Another thing that contributed to in our downtown." me, 'don't waste your time on the hard-nosed. the successful EID vote was minimiz­ Focus first on where you think your yesses are.' ing input by individuals and entities not I got up to about 45 percent really fast, then located in the downtown. "We held this really came the conversions of the 'not sures.' Once close to the vest," says Armstrong. "We did not we broke the threshold, we announced that and go out to the broader media to talk about this. a flood of additional petitions came forward." The EID, at its core, is a relationship amongst The proposed EID footprint included 304 the 304 property owners, so if people weren't property owners representing 455 downtown downtown stakeholders, we didn't want to parcels. Each property owner had to sign an encourage them talking about it. We kept it a individual petition. Tenant businesses could very tightly held process." ( advocate for it through their owners. Contact: Joshua Armstrong, Southwest Indiana While the Downtown Alliance delivered Chamber, (8/2) 425-8147, ext. 22211, jarmstrong@ and collected many petitions in person, each swinchamber.com. m

ECONOMIC GROWTH Repurposed shipping containers offer flexible, affordable space downtown

Shipping containers are providing retail ing on how containers were configured, and and residential space downtown and creat- also offered a playground and a wide array of ing an attention-grabbing alternative to more programming to appeal to all ages. traditional development. Container Park, in Las "We envision the Downtown Container Vegas, NV (est. pop. 583,756), is perhaps one Park to feel much like a weekend backyard of the most ambitious projects based around barbeque by the pool, where friends and family repurposed shipping containers. The founders and kids all interact," said Kim Schaefer, sought to create a community gathering place, communications manager for the managing affordable entrepreneur space, and a vibrant organization, Downtown Project, just prior to retail, arts, and entertainment scene. More than opening. "Imagine Downtown Container Park 35 repurposed containers were blended with as a place where kids can play with other kids locally produced "Xtrerne Cubes" to create the while adults can enjoy their wine and cheese park. When it opened in 2013, Container Park on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a family­ featured up to 44 flexible retail spaces, depend- friendly live band playing in the background

April 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 9 - a place for everyone in the community to Tiny housing and cowork spaces come together - singles, couples, kids, and Entrepreneurs will build their first Stack­ families." house development this year near downtown Today, Container Park is home to seven Tucson, AZ ( est. pop. 520, 116). The patent-pend­ Downtown Development.com restaurants and bars with both indoor and ing Stackhouse is a steel structure with slots for To learn more about outdoor seating, as well as a robust open-air shipping-container homes. Homebuyers can pick Container Park, visit shopping center, a popular playground, outdoor their container and then rent a lot in the Stack­ our website and click on Web Extras. entertainment, and The Dome, a 360-degree house, according to Tucson.com. The Stackhouse visual entertainment venue featuring both edu­ will hold two units per floor, with five to seven cational and video gaming productions. stories, and is expected to be about 50 feet high. Containers will be placed into their slots with a Retail, restaurant, and office spaces special crane. in the works The developers also plan to construct Stack­ In Oklahoma City, OK (est. pop. 579,999), houses in California, Colorado, and Washington. developers are using 20 shipping containers to To pave the way for the tiny house move­ create two buildings adjacent to the downtown ment, Arizona's Pima County waived some which will house a mix of retail, restaurants, building codes, including minimum dwelling, offices, and a rooftop deck. The development room, and ceiling dimensions, and stairway will also offer 60 parking spaces, and a wall requirements for loft areas. onto which movies will be projected for the The developers are working with manu­ public, according to The Oklahoman. facturers to keep the cost of container homes Construction is also underway on a down­ in the $35,000 to $40,000 range. Rent in the town restaurant and shopping complex built Stackhouse, which includes utilities, cable, out of shipping containers in Phoenix, AZ (est. and Internet, will start at $500 per month for a pop. 1,445,632). The Churchill, scheduled to ground slot and range up to $1,000 for the top open this spring, will feature a bar, restaurant, floor. Each slot will have a wraparound deck, and boutique among the 10 locations housed and each Stackhouse will have a rooftop deck within 19 repurposed shipping containers with for residents to share. a shared courtyard. Meanwhile, the new Cargo District in down­ Three tenants, including a bar, a pizza town Wilmington, NC (est. pop. 106,476), is the shop, and a boutique had already confirmed last city's first pop-up container community. Being fall, according to AZCentral.com. More ten­ constructed in phases, the Cargo District will first ants will be announced in the months leading see creation of live/work rental units. The project up to opening day. Each tenant is required to will eventually include coworking spaces, restau­ contribute volunteer hours to the project, and is rants, retail, and a food truck park. encouraged to host community events. Classes, Amazon has also embraced prefabricated activities, and fundraisers for local nonprofits shipping containers, offering houses that need will also enliven the space. only a slab to sit on and attachment to sewer, water, and electrical service. Manufactured by MODS International, the $23,000 homes cost $4,400 to deliver and arrive fully furnished. And finally, in Las Cruces, NM (est. pop. 97 ,618), two 40-foot shipping containers have been configured to add rental space for travelers to the downtown scene. The shipping container loft, offered via Airbnb, has a full kitchen and bath, a washing machine, a picture window over­ looking the Organ Mountains, and is "adjacent to [the] bike path and downtown," according to Shipping container rental units can fill gaps in downtown housing for tourists. the listing. m

10 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 ISSN 0012-5822 Downtown Idea Exchange Idea Exchange ( A publication of the Downtown Development Center 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E No drones allowed counter service to visiting members Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 of the public; Phone: (973) 265-2300 • Fax: (973) 402-6056 Deadwood, SD, is known for • incorporate transparent Email: [email protected] its well-preserved Gold Rush- Website: www.DowntownDevelopment.com display windows for a majority era architecture, but visitors to Editor the picturesque downtown are no of the street-facing, ground-floor Sheila Grant, ext. 110 sg [email protected] longer able to take some types of wall with at least one main entry leading directly from the sidewalk, Technical Editor photos. In January, the city com­ Laurence A. Alexander which is universally accessible to mission passed a bill restricting the Customer Service use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or the public; and, Mary Pagliaroli, ext. 101 drones, over the downtown. • have a ground-floor level [email protected] The ban is the result of safety at sidewalk-grade elevation and Reprints and Permissions ground-floorheights of at least Michael DeWitt, ext. 107 concerns, Police Chief Kelly Fuller [email protected] 4.Sm measured floor to floor. tells the Courthouse News Ser­ Publisher vice, "We'd had some close calls," For the full text of this and Margaret DeWitt, ext. 106 Fuller says, recalling a drone other amendments, visit [email protected] DowntownDevelopmentcom Downtown Idea Exchange® is published monthly by flying over a packed city concert and click on Web Extras. the Downtown Development Center. The Center two years ago. "So we want to be provides news. information and data for successful downtown revitalization through its newsletters. books. on the safe side." reports. and website. Reconfigured department ') Alexander Communications Group Active Frontages store remains downtown • © 2018 Alexander Co111111u11icatio11s ( Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this pub­ encourage lively streets A creative financing and lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, The Town of Milton, ON, redevelopment plan will retain a electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise. large department store downtown without the prior written permission of Alexander Canada, is taking steps to create a Communications Group. more bustling, pedestrian-oriented and make room for new uses. The Subscri tion Order Form: experience downtown. Recent Boston Store in downtown Mil­ Please start/renew my one-year amendments to the town's stra­ waukee will be cut in half, reports subscription to Downtown Idea Exchange for $227.* tegic plan include the creation of UrbanMilawukee.com. The store an Active Frontages designation. will be reduced from 123,000 NAME The designation is intended to, square feet to approximately 33,000

"reinforce the character of these square feet and will make way for TITLE frontages as lively, pedestrian­ new office space. oriented, and interactive street The changes will also enhance FIRM/ORGANIZATION fronts. Generally buildings along the walkability of the neighbor­ I ADDRESS Active Frontages will be located at hood, notes Dan Casanova, a senior

the street edge to help frame and economic development special- CITY STATE ZIP animate the street." ist for the city. Creation of a new Specific requirements for the street-level lobby for the office PHONE Active Frontages include: space and the discovery of street­ EMAIL • provide pedestrian-traffic­ level windows will help. NIS cg/J MAIL: 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E generating activities at street level, "A number of large window Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 particularly retail and service uses, bays the city believes have been � FAX (973) 402-6056 including retail offices (such as bricked shut for nearly a century ir PHONE: (973) 265-2300 @ EMAIL: [email protected] ( banks and realtors) that directly will be opened up with large win­ * North America. $227. Elsewhere, $257 provide an on-demand, over-the- dows," says Casanova. (includes international delivery).

April 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 11 Idea Exchange

Making it easier to stay longer Share the love and successes Creating public bathrooms For the fourth consecutive year, the Center for CommunityProgress, is on a list of items being con­ a nationwide nonprofit working to transform vacant, abandoned, and sidered by the city council in deteriorated properties into communityassets, has celebrated Valen­ Burlington, VT. The measures tine's Day with the #LoveThatlot campaign. are largely aimed at helping the The campaign homeless, but the addition of encourages people public bathrooms also has support to show their from the business community, love for revital­ according to WCAX.com. Cur­ ized spaces via rently, the only public bathrooms Facebook, Twitter, are located in the downtown City and lnstagram, as Market, a community-owned well as through grocery store. in-person celebra­ On the other side of the tions. The Center country, the city of Santa Cruz, notes that people CA, offers several locations with have shared their public restrooms. These are in love for, "vacant downtown garages, the city hall, lots transformed and the public library. Restrooms Binghamton, NY's, Volunteers Improving Neighborhood into farms, gas sta­ Environments celebrates the potential vacant lots have are typically available during reg­ tions transformed for communities. ular business hours. In an effort into buildings with to expand availability, the city's small businesses, and demolition sites turned into children's learning economic development depart­ gardens." ment operates a Visitor Restroom Program. At its website the city To learn more, visit www.communityprogress.net/blog/lovethatlot. explains: "The Visitor Restroom Pro­ gram provides restroom facilities Gee wiz parking Parking Today magazine explains, for visitors in downtown busi­ technology "For the first time, parkers can reserve a particular space close nesses through an agreement The Century City commercial between the city and the business district in Los Angeles, is home to their ultimate destination, in owner. The city gives the business to the 1.3 million-square-foot advance, and have that space saved a Visitor Restroom sign which is Westfield Century City outdoor for them until they arrive." The pre­ displayed outside the business, shopping mall. But what really book spaces at Westfield have LED and pays a monthly stipend to stands out is the mall's park- signs above them that display the cover additional maintenance ing system, which may point the name of the person who reserved costs. The business makes their direction for downtown parking that space. restrooms available to visitors and facilities in humbler locations. To read the full article visit maintains the restrooms during What sets the system apart is the DowntownDevelopmentcom their regular business hours." parking reservations component. and click on Web Extras. m

12 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • April 2018 Vol. 65, No. 5 ECONOMIC GROWTH May 2018 To remain competitive, communities Inside this issue build their own Internet networks Housing program draws and retains employees. Home Internet connectivity is vital for America to build its own citywide ownership creates stronger businesses of every size, and for gigabit-per-second fiber Internet ties to the community .•••• 3 downtowns that want to attract resi­ network, says Jeremy Henderson, dents, visitors, and employers. When creative project manager for the Microtransit pilot seeks to private investment in broadband/fiber Chattanooga Area Chamber of reduce single-occupancy Internet infrastructure proves difficult Commerce. travel. On-demand shuttles to attract, some municipalities are "It was a pretty huge deal at provide broader route cover­ building their own. the time," says Henderson. "One age and cost savings •••.••• 5 According to the Institute for of the effects of that was a boom in Local Self-Reliance, there are now at our startup community. We started ( Downtown seeks flood least 750 community-owned Internet having very innovative small compa­ mitigation to support mer­ nies and a handful of incubators in chants. Reducing flood insur­ systems in the United States. ance rates is an important Chattanooga, TN (est. pop. town." Now the city is seeing such first step ..•••...••.•....• 6 167,674), was the first in North ( Continued on page 2)

Sip and stroll events make shopping more social. Take ATTRACTION advantage of in-store tastings and open-container zones to Retail and restaurant survey provides attract more customers ••• 10 data for targeted business recruitment Idea Exchange. Minimizing Since 2011, the town of Flower data against each report," says Alora delivery congestion, Making Mound, TX (est. pop. 64,669), has Wachholz, the town's economic the best use of available park­ conducted a Retail & Restaurant ing, Planners ponder under­ development manager. ground space, and more .• 11 Survey every other year. The results are The town has many advantages, used to ensure that residents have input including relatively high household into the type of downtown they want, incomes, a well-educated populace, @DowntownDevelopment.com recruit new businesses, explore con­ and its location just three miles Live it Up Wausau sumer leakage, and educate the public from an international airport. "It's Guidelines about why certain retail and restaurant a great opportunity, when it comes Flower Mound Retail & desires are not realistic. The most to recruitment efforts, but Flower Restaurant Survey recent survey was conducted in 2017. Mound also has a long history of The Final 50 Feet Urban "It has evolved over time, but wanting to preserve its land from Goods Delivery System we've tried really hard to keep it urban sprawl," explains Wachholz. consistent so we can benchmark the ( Continued on page 8)

© 2018 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. To remain competitive, communities build

their own Internet networks -Continued/rampage I

an increased demand for new employees that gigabit-per-second municipal network, and an ambitious video marketing campaign has more recently, 1 OGbps service, says State Tech been launched to attract residents. magazine. The economic benefits for the city have been roughly $1 billion over the course of High-speed connectivity is the last five years. And the network can be key to business retention directly tied to the creation of between 2,800 Hudson, OH (est. pop. 22,262), has also and 5,200 new jobs, according to a report invested in its own high-speed Internet ser­ from the University of Tennessee. vice. Velocity Broadband "is the fastest and "Many communities have realized that most reliable Internet in Hudson," says the if they do not invest in themselves, they city. The gigabit speeds are available because will be left behind in the digital economy," of the city's new all-fibernetwork. Downtown Development.com Christopher Mitchell, director of commu­ The city invested more than $2.3 million To read the report nity broadband networks for the Institute into creating the company, according to the The realized value of for Local Self-Reliance, tells StateTech Akron Beacon Journal. City spokeswoman fiber infrastructure magazine. "Local governments are watching Jody Roberts told the newspaper that the new in Hamilton County Tennessee, visit our as other communities that have affordable, service was about 100 times faster than any website and click on citywide, high-quality Internet access are other broadband available in Northeast Ohio Web Extras. thriving." at launch time. Chattanooga's upgrade came about in The project came about after the city's 2010 when the city's Electric Power Board economic development department heard modernized the power grid by laying a fiber complaints from multiple businesses about network throughout its 600-square-mile low and inconsistent Internet service. "Some service area. The EPB first rolled out a one- were saying they had employees working out of their houses because of computer issues at work," City Manager Jane Howing­ ton told the newspaper. The problems were Surveys reveal Internet servicegaps that confirmed via a survey of local businesses turn away new businesses and residents. The city first considered running the Last fall, Radius Global Market Research and WiredScore high-speed lines and asking a private broad­ released findings of their study, The Value of Connectivity: band company to take them over, but could Whats the Cost of Poor Digital Connectivityfor Commercial Real not find a willing service provider. "So that Estate. The study reveals that more than 80 percent of par­ left us with deciding whether to leave things ticipating businesses experience regular Internet connectivity as they were, knowing we might lose busi­ problems. A random sampling of 150 leasing decision makers nesses, or do it ourselves," Howington said. from 1 O of the nation's largest cities were polled, and the qual­ Velocity first became operational for ity of a butlding'slnterne;connection was cited as a factor in city offices and private businesses in a local evaluating futureoffic� space - surpassing both location and business park in September, 2015. By the price as the importantfactors when searching for workspace following summer, First & Main, a new in the coming decade. mixed-use retail development in the center of The WiredScore reportis available for download at the city, and the downtown were connected. info.wiredscore.com/value-connectivity-conimercial-real-estate. The mayor then declared October to be Giga­ (Registration is required.) bit City Month, with local merchants joining the celebration by offering special promotions

2 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 and local restaurants offering menu items such Even tiny, rural communities can as Giga-bite sliders, Broadband BBQ, and embrace DIV broadband Giga milkshakes. Many towns and cities in Maine are About 50 businesses signed up immedi­ grappling with the need for dependable, ately, and the city hoped to add another 50 high-speed Internet service. The Maine Fiber businesses in the coming months, says the Company Conference last year highlighted Beacon Journal. Companies that do not need success stories, including that of the Island a gigabit can opt for a less costly 25 megabit of Islesboro, ME (est. pop. 566). A sustained service. And to meet the residential demand five-year effort there was responsible for a demonstrated by survey results, municipal program that will provide 100-percent fiber officials applied for a $50,000 Ohio Devel­ coverage for homes and businesses. opment Services Agency grant to study the "With no cable TV incumbent on the feasibility of covering the entire city so that Island, there were fewer competitive threats to residents could opt in, as well. a municipally built fiber network, and a lower Howington told the Beacon Journal that general cost for attaching to the utility poles," there wasn't too much risk to the endeavor says the Mane Fiber Company. "A small because the city already had its own power group of local residents took the 'long view,' company and could install the lines where educated themselves and other islanders, and customers were already interested, then relentlessly pursued the funding and approvals grow as the cash flow began. Only one city needed to tum this idea into a reality." employee was added, with other existing staff A well-informed and persistent local being reassigned or taking on new duties. advocacy group is critical for any successful Other operations, such as sales and interior community broadband initiative, as is public wire installation, were outsourced to local funding of some type and magnitude, says the companies. company. m (

ATTRACTION Housing program draws and retains employees

The Live it Up Wausau program in says Schock. "This type of program is a Wausau, WI (est. pop. 39,106), seeks to attract pragmatic way that a community can tackle employees to the area and give them reasons that." to stay. Schock notes that employee-attraction "This fits under a broad heading of programs are structured in many different employee-assisted housing or economic ways nationwide, including grants, programs development homesteading," says Christian that pay back student loans, and employers Schock, the city's director of planning, com­ that offer residential down payment assis­ munity, and economic development. "These tance. These programs are also used for are programs that help employees become stabilization in targeted neighborhoods in more rooted in the community. The basic some cities, or to target employees of par­ premise is that an employee who is connected ticular industries. to the city or neighborhood is much more The Live it Up Wausau program offers inclined to stay than one who isn't." interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to ( Within the field of economic develop­ employees of partner businesses for use ment, workforce attraction is a high priority, toward down payments on local homes. "This

May 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 compliments whatever traditional financ- of the keys to a successful downtown is 24/7 ing they have, and makes home buying more vibrancy, a good balance of workers and affordable, while rooting them better into the people living in and shopping in the down­ neighborhood," says Schock. town." To offset potentially higher renovation In Wausau, no particular neighborhoods costs for older city center homes, employees were targeted. "It was discussed and consid­ can borrow up to $15,000, interest free, for ered, but I think the extra kicker for historic historic properties 50 years and older. "And homes does help target certain neighbor­ we also forgive the final year of payment if hoods," Schock says. "It helps people buy they have made, and documented, physical anywhere in the area, but I could see a improvements to the property," Schock says. community creating homesteading just for a Businesses must make a donation to the certain neighborhood or area. It's something Downtown Development.com program's loan pool in order for their employ­ of an emerging field, and I really think it's To view Live it Up Wausau guidelines, visit ees to qualify. The city contributes to the fund, one of the best ways a community can focus our website and click on as do several charitable foundations. on revitalization. Work on homesteading Web Extras. "Initially, it was important for the city people into that area." to have leadership over the program so we Schock says the more inclusive nature started with $100,000 [in city funds], then of Live it Up Wausau works well for his city. went to the businesses and said, 'we want "One thing we've been pleased with is that you to partner on this for your employees.' it's been a fairly broad-based approach with We didn't have a minimum donation amount a variety of different geographies and types because we wanted to engage as many busi­ of homes. Like many cities, we've had down nesses as possible, from single proprietors to payment assistance programs funded primar­ small, family businesses to big manufactur­ ily through a block grant, which is tied to ers and banks. It's good to see a diversity of need-based requests from folks who couldn't folks getting involved. We were telling them, buy a home otherwise." 'Hey, you should be cognizant of where your This program instead "looks at it from the employees are living and how connected they demand perspective and makes sure employ­ are to the community." ees buy homes in the city and become more "We had heard anecdotally of law firm inclined to stay," says Schock. "There's an employees coming to town, living in a couple economic development reason here, not just of apartment complexes, staying three to affordable housing or neighborhood develop­ five years, and then leaving. And from other ment. We value skilled workers and we want employees, we heard how hard it was for them to buy properties in the city." them to find housing, and choices that really The program has been used for all types fit different levels, so the city developed on of housing with mortgages ranging from the supply side, as well, by offering construc­ $40,000 to $500,000. "The employees are tion loans, workforce housing incentives, tax loving the incentive, rather than needing it, credits, those kinds of things. We are help- and employers are able to add it to the list of ing property owners renovate the floors over employee benefits," Schock says. "If a poten­ storefronts, almost every possible second floor tial employee is coming from outside the where you could put residential. That's been region, it's a great way to say our community very positive." values you and will help you buy a home." The program also helps attract invest­ Model is adaptable for targeted ment. "Developers might say, 'I don't know residential development who is going to buy this house.' If you work While Live it Up Wausau is not exclu­ with the employers, you can work that con­ sively focused on downtown, it is a model nection and create and show strong demand," of homesteading that would be "great for a says Schock. "It helps prove that market as downtown to think about," says Schock. "One you move forward."

4 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 Promoting the program builds Other Wisconsin communities now look to partnerships and participation Wausau as a model, Schock says. "I don't think The city promotes Live it Up Wausau, but ours is necessarily the best. We have one ver­ finds that mortgage lenders and realtors are sion, while another version works for another also valuable promotional partners. "We've community. It's just a great emerging field got those partnerships, and the businesses, and where we would love to see more collaboration the city all out there working to tell that story," among communities focused on homesteading, Schock says. "It's helped us continue to gain and creating demand-driven functions for home traction." ownership," he says. The city has done a lot to promote the pro­ "A lot of communities already have down gram with the media, as well, including hosting payment assistance so sometimes they just need media events on the lawns of homes to cel­ to re-imagine it from need-based to an economic ebrate closings. "The state also focused on our development perspective," Schock says. "I would program and highlighted it in one of their mar­ encourage communities to talk with regional keting pieces," says Schock. "It's just another entities and other communities to see what are angle of telling that story, which says that the the things they are doing that are focused on Wausau community cares about employees and housing to attract and retain workers." ensuring that people have access and interest in Contact: Christian Schock, City of Wausau, (715) buying homes." 261-6683, Christian.schock@ci. wausau. wi.us. m

ACCESS AND MOBILITY ( Microtransit pilot seeks to reduce single-occupancy travel

A new program in Arlington, TX (est. pop. Passengers lacking smartphones or 365,438), seeks to reduce traffic downtown the app can order rides on the Via shuttles, while providing greater public transit coverage branded locally as Arlington On-Demand, by at lower cost to the city. calling the company, says the city's ride­ Until a few years ago, Arlington was the share web page. Unlike the fixed-route bus, largest city in the nation with no mass transit. passengers can now be picked up at or near More recently, its bus line, Max, has seen lack­ their doorstep and delivered at or near their luster ridership along its fixed route between destinations, all for $3 per ride. The signature a local university and a commuter rail station Mercedes vans are marked with near the Dallas-FortWorth airport. Now a new both Arlington On-Demand and Via ''Via will get people to six-seater, on-demand shuttle service is taking logos for easy identification. places Max was too a test run. The rideshare service currently limited to get close to." Last fall, the city announced a partner­ offers rides in the areas around ship with New York-based startup, Via, which downtown, the University of Texas at Arling­ already offers on-demand minibus service in ton, the Texas Health Arlington Memorial New York City, Chicago, and Washington, Hospital area, and the Entertainment District, D.C. Rides can be booked on the Via smart­ as well as providing a connection to the com­ phone app. Users receive an estimated pickup muter rail station near the airport. Arlington time and can also track their vehicle on the On-Demand operates from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. ( app. The average wait time is 10-12 minutes, on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sat­ says Via. urday, but extended hours will be offered

May 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 Arlington On-Demand coverage areas during special events dized by public tax dollars, including one of in the Entertainment the first federal grants to fund microtransit District. in the country, according to a recent Cityl.ab • Current Zone Payments can be article. "Not only will [the pilot] cover the area Phase II made by credit card -April-June or prepaid card. we're already serving, Via will get people to In addition to a places Max was too limited to get close to," LAMAR BLVD fleet of 10 passenger Alicia Winkelblech, assistant director of strate­ vans, Via will also be gic planning for the city, tells Cityl.ab. operating a limited The main criteria for judging the success number of wheelchair of the one-year pilot program will be whether accessible vehicles Via reduces single-occupancy vehicle trips, during the pilot pro­ which the city plans to measure based on data gram, and these will collected and shared by Via. Winkelblech is provide door-to-door optimistic that it can carve into the market for service. private or even pooled Uber and Lyft trips. Future phases "A trip that might cost $12 on a ride-hailing will see service service will now cost $3. We anticipate quite a expanded to two lot of interest in this," she tells CityLab. major shopping areas A successful expansion of microtransit and the neighbor­ may very well build demand for fixed-route hoods around them. services in the future as well, notes the article. "Service areas may Via may also help unlock answers to questions shift over time as asked by transit agencies nationwide, because On-demand, six-seat shuttles provide a broader coverage area and increased convenience for information is gath­ one advantage of on-demand mobility apps is users during this pilot program. ered about demand that all the data on where passengers want to for service," says the go is captured. city. Up-to-date service area maps and operat­ "There isn't a transit agency in the U.S. ing hours are available on the app and at the that has any valuable data on the demand they Via and city websites. Residents living outside don't/can'tserve," transportation consultant the current service area have been encouraged Jon McBride tells Cityl.ab. "They have no to provide feedback to the company which will real idea what service people are looking for inform future expansion decisions. - perhaps this contributes to the declining Via's service in Arlington will be subsi- ridership most of them are seeing." m

ECONOMIC GROWTH Downtown seeks flood mitigation to support merchants

The city of Gardiner, ME (est. pop. 5,800), "The purpose is to establish where on the on the shores of the Kennebec River and buildings the 100-yearflood mark is," says located completely within the mapped FEMA Patrick Wright, executive director of Gardiner flood zone, has seen downtown flooding many Main Street. Knowing that high-water mark times over the years. Now officials are work­ allows building owners to make informed ing on a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan for the decisions about where to locate mechanical Gardiner Historic District. systems and other at-risk items. It may also

6 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 help property owners qualify for lower flood insurance rates. "If you flood-proofto one Senate considers bijllto ease national flood foot above that mark, insurance rates can be insurance woes ( substantially lower, and the building is a lot Downtown leaders in flood-pronestates are keeping a happier if it does flood," he says. close eye on the Sustainabie, Affordable, Fair, and Efficient The first step is to obtain Flood Eleva- tion Certificates, says Wright. Recently, the (SAFE) National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Act city received a $7 ,500 grant from the Maine of 2017 as it winds its way through the U. S. Senate review Historic Preservation Commission toward the process. The bill seeks to fix problems exposed during the $17 ,520 project, which will survey the eleva­ response to Hurricane Sandy, say proponents, noting that tions of buildings within the district. Survey among other things, the bill will: data will be entered by a college intern into • Provide long-term certaintyby reauthorizing the a GIS system in order to catalog information National Flood Insurance Program for six years. about properties in the floodplain. Participa­ tion by property owners is voluntary, with the • Prevent exorbitant rate hikes by capping annual grant covering half the cost for each survey and increases at 1 O percent. "Currently, premiums increase by up certificate for up to 48 buildings. to 25 percent everyyear, depressing propertyvalues, creat­ "This is Phase I of our community's flood ing affordabilitychallenges, and discouraging participation in resiliency plan. For us, the floods are a concern, the program," say the bill's sponsors. but the bigger concern right now is what is hap­ • Cut waste by freezing interest payments and pening to flood insurance rates," Wright says, establishing new controls for private insurance company com­ noting that a flood comes along only occasion­ pensation in order to reinvest in proactive mitigation efforts ally, but high rates must be paid every day. With and affordabilitymeasures, including low-interest loans for the U.S. Congress contemplating the removal of homeowners' mitigation projects and affordabilityvouchers . flood insurance subsidies, and building owners ( with mortgages required to carry the insurance, • Provide strong investment in mitigation, with robust concerns are on the rise, he says. funding levels for large-scale, communitywidemitigation "One interesting thing we are watch- efforts and mitigation assistance programs, which, propo­ ing - and I met with Senator Susan Collins a nents say, have a 4:1 return on investment and are the most month ago to briefher on this issue - is a bill effective way to reduce flood risk. going through the senate right now that would • Provide bettertraining and certification of agents and slow the increase of insurance premiums to 10 adjusters "to reduce mistakes and improve the customer percent [annually] and buy us some time for experience." mitigation," Wright says. "It also includes some flood hazard mitigation funds for communities. Our hope is to position ourselves to get some support from the federal government to make Street owns as a test case for designing strate­ our buildings more flood resilient." gies for our buildings to achieve safety and get Once the Flood Elevation Certificates proj­ lower rates." ect is complete, "the next part would be to then There are Silver Jackets teams in states come up with strategies for mitigating against nationwide, though some go by other names. floods," says Wright. "In the case of Gardiner, These teams bring together multiple federal, we think that it's going to be more effective state, tribal, and local agencies to learn from to go building by building in order to mitigate one another in reducing flood risk and other against damage. We don't think it's a case natural disasters. Federal team members typi­ where a levy or some other structural approach cally include FEMA, and possibly the National would be cost effective or [flood-prevention] Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey, effective. We are also working with the Army in addition to the Army Corps of Engineers. Corps of Engineers. Their Silver Jackets Contact: Patrick Wright, Gardiner Main Street, program is using buildings that Gardiner Main (207) 582-3100, [email protected]. 11E11

May 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 7 Retail and restaurant survey provides data

for targeted business attraction -Continuedfrompagel

"We have some interesting zoning and plan­ what percentage of their annual shopping is ning in place, and a Smart Growth policy that done online," says Wachholz. Finally, respon­ requires a big section to remain residential dents are given the opportunity to make to keep that 'city meets country' feel. While comments. that's good for the community in the long run, "We get amazing feedback from that," it also means that we are working with limited she says. "This year, a [self-identified] high commercial space. We tend to be a little picky school student wrote probably one of the about who and how we recruit." most convincing essays on why we need a Additions to the downtown business mix Whataburger. There's one in a neighboring are viewed as amenities for residents, she community, but he wrote that after football says. The best way to ensure that residents games, everyone goes to that other town, are happy with that mix is to, "ask them what and sees each other in line, and that he real­ they are lacking and what would make their ized all this money was just leaving [ our quality of life better," Wachholz says. town]," says Wachholz. "That is something we would include in a recruitment packet to Conducting the survey Whataburger." The two-person economic development department saves money and staff hours by Putting the data to use using the online tool, Survey Monkey. "By Survey results go out in recruitment making the survey available online, we are packets to the top 10 requested retailers able to harness a large percentage of our and the top 10 requested restaurants in each population," says Wachholz. "And I always survey cycle, along with the town's eight­ encourage residents who are uncomfortable page economic development profile, an aerial with taking the survey online to call and I will map of the commercial corridor, and letters send a written survey and include from downtown leaders "that introduce them 'We have started asking [return] postage." to the community and let them know we are a what percentage of Surveys are offered in the fall community that wants them, that we are open their annual shopping when most people are back from for business and interested in talking, and that is done on fine." summer travels. Participation is we have space available," Wachholz says. The encouraged via the city and partner more desired a business, the more materials organization social media platforms, at town and follow-up contact will be provided. council meetings, in monthly newsletters, and While survey data is broken down by the on the town website. While residents are the top 10 requests in each category, Wachholz target audience, business partners who may also crunches the numbers by business type. live elsewhere but have a stake in the down­ Perhaps there's no way to recruit the cute town, and other interested nonresidents may little family diner a respondent patronized in participate. a far-flung city, but if enough people request The format includes about 10 questions, some form of family dining, those numbers the last of which is open-ended and elicits are used to persuade family friendly res­ some interesting and informative responses. taurants that a market exists for their menu Participants, who remain anonymous, are items. Or everyone may not request the same asked where they usually shop, and when sporting goods store, but if the numbers dem­ shopping outside of the community, what onstrate the need for this type of business, things they travel to purchase. They are asked that can be a compelling recruitment tool, where they like to dine, for which meals, she says. Final survey results in all catego­ and how often. "And we have started asking ries are displayed as a two-page infographic,

8 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 with additional pages containing respondent's communities in which respondents indicated open-ended comments. they like to shop and dine. "It's just to let The survey also lets the city know "what them know the kinds of leakages we are not to do," says Wachholz. "People might say facing but that they are gaining from," says no more nail salons, no more donut shops, Wachholz. "We are a bunch of communities OowntownDevelopment.com or no more banks. And we use the survey to all squished up together, competitive, but very To read the Flower & clarify what our role is when it comes to local supportive. If that [data] does them any good, Mound Retail Restaurant Survey 2017, economic development. There are comments or helps them with any economic develop­ and resident comments, on what areas of town people would like to see ment or lets them know they did a good job, visit our website and developed. This goes to the town council. You we are happy to do that. We are also happy to click on Web Extras. get a lot more out of the survey than simply speak with any community [thinking about that everyone would like a Trader Joe's." designing a survey]. It can seem a lot more The surveys also provide opportunities daunting than it really is. I think that if other for public education. "We get a lot of pie-in­ small communities knew this was achievable the-sky responses, and our department feels and how, it could save them a lot of money strongly that part of our job is to educate and and get them started," she says. communicate to our residents and our busi­ Contact: Alora Wachholz, Town of Flower Mound, nesses," Wachholz says. "In those situations (972) 874-6044, econdevtefiower-mound.com. fi1EI where requests aren't feasible, we still find invaluable information because we can share i-----·- What Flower Mound residents told us: � why we're not going to be able to have an I Flower �found ...----�--,I! Top 20 Requested Retailers: Top 20 RequKted Restaurants: Apple Store here in town because we are not i Reta1&I 1. Trader Joe's 1. ln-N-Out Burger 2. Central Market 2. Panera Bread 3. Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack 3. The Cheesecake Factory on a major highway and are not going to bring 4. Apple Store 4. Olive Garden I 5 Costco 5. Whataburger in the numbers." II e 6. HEB 6. Chuy's Tex-Mex 7. Gap/Gap Kids/Baby Gap 7. PF Chang's 8. The Container Store B Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen Her department does reach out to the big Restaurant 9. Pottery Sam/Pottery Barn Kids 9. Babe's Chicken Dinner House SURVEY 2017 10. Michaels 10. BJ's Brewhouse ( brands through meetings at trade shows and 11. Williams Sonoma 11. Outback Steakhouse 12. Crate and Barrel 12. Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen In which communities do you regularly shop?. 13. Macy's 13. Saltgrass Steak House expos, "to double check and verify the best ------14. Dillard's 14. Hard Eight BBQ 15. lululemon 15. Del Frisco's 16. Total Wine 16. Eatzi's Market & Bakery possible explanation to bring back as to why 17. Anthropologie 17. Pappasito's Cantina 18 Kendra Scott 18. Brio Tuscan Grille they are perhaps not interested in our market, 19. REI Co-op 19 Frve Guys 20. JOANN Fabrrcs and Cratts 20. Red Lobster

and I think there is a lot of benefit in that," Approximately how many times do you dine oot per week>:

Wachholz says. Breakfast •• 1.07 "We also use the data for general market indicators," she says. For example, one surprise When you shop outside of Flower Mound, wha1 do you usually pu,chase?. l�-��h··@A is that people now spend more going out to eat than in grocery shopping. There can be sur­ Dt;;'···· prises on the retail front, as well. "People were requesting very high-end retailers, but now they are wanting to save money in that part of their spending. We had a discount grocery store looking at our market. There's very little about the demographic in Flower Mound to tell you Al what type of resteuraot do you prefer 10 dine'. a discount grocer would be successful here, but when you look at what our residents are actu­ ------·-- ·---_ - ally saying, it's not that they can't afford things, but shopping is not where they want to invest their money. Because of that, we can say there is a market and help move that dialog forward." I For the first time this year, the town plans LJ...... �---��� � to share its survey results with neighboring Survey results are presented in an easy-to-read infographic format.

May 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 9 ATTRACTION Sip and stroll events make shopping more social

Sip and stroll events are a popular activ­ The city has an open container ordinance, ity for drawing visitors not just downtown, but which allows for an open container of wine directly into downtown shops and other busi­ or beer, purchased from approved retailers nesses. While each event has a unique local along the parade route, which falls within the flavor, most rely on merchants to serve snacks Entertainment District downtown, says Shan­ and beverages while shoppers move from non Schmidt, the city's economic development location to location in a fun and low-pressure director. environment. Add to that in-store specials, live Meanwhile, a 45-minute drive away in music, buskers, and passport-style promotions, Winter Park, FL (est. pop. 27,852), Sip, Shop and the stage is set for a successful event. & Stroll events are offered several times a The 2017 holiday season saw its share year and are viewed as an opportunity to lure of sip & stroll events with at least one taking customers into business locations. advantage of open container laws. That was "Spend the evening visiting your favorite the case in Clermont, FL Park Avenue area shops and restaurants," said (est. pop. 28,742), where the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce of its attendees of the two-day event in December. "Discover new merchants, 29'h Annual Light Up check out the latest fashions, gift ideas, and Clermont event are encour­ seasonal menu items, and enjoy wine and hors aged to shop, sip, and stroll d'oeuvres along the way." along the city's Hometown In Snohomish, WA (est. pop. 9,098), the Holiday Parade route. Sippin' & Shoppin' Christmas Shopping Eve- "Spend a few hours or an ning and Wine Stroll sold out in a single day ( entire day," urges the city's last year. Held from 4 to 8 p.m. on the first Sat­ economic development urday of December, this event incorporates a department. "The down­ participating stores will offer wine tasting into the festivities. The marketing town area is blossoming on beverages. treats &. entertammen. t'· focus was on fun, with holiday sales treated as all fronts, with an assort­ incidental. �"Details and wine tasting ticke�s at: ment of new shops and . www ,HistoricOowntownSnohom1sh.org . A different winery was featured at each www .fat-ebook.com IHistoricOowntownSnohomtsli eateries to enjoy!" participating shop. Guests received eight sam­ 1�:1� * ples, plus a $10 voucher toward the purchase of a bottle of wine from the event's Bottle Shop. Creating open container And finally, the Greater Pickens Chamber zones and in-store of Commerce in Pickens, SC ( est. pop. 3, 190), sipping stations makes doesn't wait for the holiday season, instead shopping more social and boosts foot traffic. highlighting all that downtown has to offer a few weeks earlier. Their Sip, Shop & Stroll, on the first Saturday in November, invites par­ ticipants to, "Join us as we Stroll (walk/bike/ drive) around historical downtown Pickens and highlight some of the great things our business community has to offer ... and sample some tasty treats!" Wristbands for the event are $10 in advance, $15 on event day. The event also features prize drawings based on the number of participating businesses guests visit during the Stroll. m

10 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 ISSN 0012-5822 Downtown Idea Exchange Idea Exchange A publication of the Downtown Development Center Reducing operating center within five years," the report 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 expenses downtown says, "and double the number Phone: (973) 265-2300 • Fax: (973) 402-6056 of trucks looking for a parking Email: [email protected] A Wisconsin developer is space." Website: www.DowntownDevelopment.com upgrading an outdated building By mapping privately owned Editor near downtown Milwaukee with an Sheila Grant, ext. 110 delivery infrastructure, a team of [email protected] energy-efficient furnace and water researchers and students found heater, upgraded windows, LED Technical Editor that 87 percent of all the buildings Laurence A. Alexander lighting, and more. It's just one in downtown Seattle, Uptown, Customer Service example of a property owner using Mary Pagliaroli, ext. 101 and South Lake Union rely on Property Assessed Clean Energy [email protected] the city's curb and alley space to (PACE) financing, which provides Reprints and Permissions receive deliveries. Only 13 percent funding for energy efficiency, Michael DeWitt, ext. 107 of buildings have loading bays or [email protected] water conservation, and renewable docks that allow trucks to park on Publisher energy projects in commercial and private property. Margaret DeWitt, ext. 106 residential properties. [email protected] The research team found that Downtown Idea Exchange® is published monthly by Started in 2008, PACE pro: reducing the number of failed the Downtown Development Center. The Center grams are typically established provides news. information and data for successful delivery attempts as well as the downtown revitalization through its newsletters, books, by local governments, which tie reports, and website. amount of time a delivery truck is the privately financed loans to parked in a loading space could the property and allow them to be ') Alexander Communications Group offer significantbenefit s. • © 2018 Alexander Communications ( repaid as line items on property Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this pub­ "These two actions alone lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval tax bills. PACE-enabling legisla­ could reduce congestion and free system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, tion is active in 33 states plus electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise. up curb space for cars, buses, bicy­ without the prior written permission of Alexander D.C., and PACE programs are now Communications Group. cles, and other people who need to active (launched and operating) in Subscription Order Form: use that shared public space," says 20 states plus D.C. Please start/renew my one-year Barbara Ivanov, director of the subscription to Downtown Idea To learn more visit www. Urban Freight Lab. Exchange for $227.* pacenation. us. To read the full report, NAME The Final 50 Feet Urban Goods Delivery System, visit Minimizing delivery TITLE congestion Downtown Development.corn and click on Web Extras. A report from the University of FIRM/ORGANIZATION Washington's Urban Freight Lab ADDRESS looks at reducing city center con­ Making the best use of

gestion by making truck parking available parking CITY STATE ZIP spaces more productive and reduc­ The city of Fayetteville, NC, ing the growth of truck traffic. PHONE is moving forward with the first The authors note that Seattle, phase of a comprehensive master EMAIL N15 WA, was a perfect test case for the plan addressing parking on and � MAIL: 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E work. "If online shopping contin­ near the Dickson Street entertain­ Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 ues to grow at its current rate, there � FAX: (973) 402-6056 ment area and downtown square. 1ir PHONE: (973) 265-2300 may be twice as many trucks deliv­ An initial parking study found @ EMAIL: [email protected] ering packages in Seattle's city that the downtown doesn't suffer * North America, $227. Elsewhere, $257 (includes international delivery).

May 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 11 Idea Exchange

from a lack of parking. Instead, it needs to let people know where · · · · ·.'. · r'rt':'i:iii7t{ the spaces are and make them Planners pon��ri�l� � · ·. . �"-<;."pf! };\ <; more publicly available. To do When cities enc,their _d ·, , , ...... '. \,::.�:.. �".-:l'f''.,;/.(-f;'•'t"' �' � this, the study provides short- and spread out, one optionOistp�ij).9., 1, •• ,1. �; long-term recommendations to ing of the World Urb�n.,Fo.r9' I '.•. "'·.r,:t\ipg!�g·�•i"'•l';,,.1::f't.., .: , •• increase the publicly accessible spaces for cities of the future.. T��:�v�nfTu. parking supply. These include: the contribution of un.d:erg_rp�mf�p�s� lq;x Short-Term the �usta,!11apledeV,�lpprl)£rltg9a!� t·�!J}:�r· • Pursue lease agreements/ the l11ternational_Tunri�Ucig�JJ<;t:!ld?t ;"''"· :· partnerships with underutilized ctevelqpep. '· : · -,· ·.: '... �.:. :;_:,:,J;\iit}i_; ,, ... ·� , r · .:f4i/'.· private parking lots. At-�he event, Sh'ipra'.-N�rihgStr,f&t��{H�fi1:trr . th:··��;;; .· 1�4y»-,;1\.'ft�<,�.;i_:rrt.';31H.1f�""""·'.·, -;' .: • Consider permit system for tance of under...... g••roun. ... d.· spac�.--.. e•• ,.':-�W,h1e�:----..1... -.,.·::.;;1.,·· .caJr

12 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • May 2018 (

Vol. 65, No. 6 ECONOMIC GROWTH June 2018 Strong city investment attracts Inside this issue development projects Tour highlights the benefits of downtown living. Modern The demise of the textile indus­ around for the community, worked residential units, as well try left the city of Kannapolis, NC to attract eight universities to form as local restaurants, are (est. pop. 42,625), with about 5,000 the North Carolina Research Center. showcased ...... •.•...... 2 fewer jobs, a huge, vacant industrial "This is a one-of-a-kind project, Open house succeeds with campus, and a lackluster downtown. with all of these universities work­ realtor participation. Get­ Thanks to heavy investment by both ing together on health and nutrition, ting brokers involved reduces the industrial site owner and the city, studying exercise and people. They the need for volunteers ••.. 2 the future is looking bright. Before have a huge clinical trial under­ Under-utilized upper stories a single city-sponsored project was way," says Annette Privette Keller, provide opportunities for completed, significantadditiona l pri­ the city's communications direc­ ( downtown growth. Incen­ vate development was approved for tor. While that is a step in the right tives, creative funding, stream­ the downtown. direction, the research center cannot lined permitting, and more The owner of the former textile replace 5,000 jobs. attract development S campus, determined to tum things (Continued on page 3) Increased police presence and activation reduce crime. More law enforcement, programming, and amenities ATTRACTION put extra eyes on the street 9 Art program activates vacant storefront Idea Exchange. Measuring windows, helps lease space festival impact, Mixed incen­ tives attract new restaurants, What began as a grassroots Minneapolis Cultural District, and to First Mile Last Mile program, initiative pairing vacant storefronts attract tenants to vacant storefronts. and more ...... •... 11 with public artin one Minneapolis, It is billed by organizers as the larg­ MN (est. pop. 382,578), neighbor­ est project of its kind in the nation. @DowntownDevelopment.com hood has grown into an "urban Joan Vorderbruggen, now the Downtown Living Tour walking gallery" enlivening key director of public artand placemak­ promotional videos commercial corridors in the city ing for the Hennepin Theatre Trust, Demonstration Project center and beyond, and incorporating initially put her experience as a timeline, Master Plan, live performances, artists markets, storefront designer and her contacts and more and pop-up galleries. The Made Here with artists to use in her own neigh­ Second-Story Residential program aims to highlight local art­ borhood, pairing vacant storefronts Development Incentive ists, give residents and visitors more with art in need of display space. Program guidelines reasons to stroll the West Downtown (Continued on page 7)

© 2018 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. · ATTRACTION Tour highlights the benefits of downtown living ( DowntownDevelopment.com The inaugural Downtown Living Tour ment. Almost all of the developers see the big To view videos pro­ in El Paso, TX (est. pop. 649,121), in 2017, picture of what we are trying to accomplish, moting the Downtown was so successful that it has become an annual and have been willing participants." Living Tour, visit our event. To attract the public, the tour is pushed out website and click on Web Extras. "Last year's event surpassed our expecta­ via paid social media, paid radio advertising, tions and we hope to build on that success," e-newsletters, and "any earned media we can says Joe Gudenrath, executive director of the generate," says Gudenrath. "We charge $15 El Paso Downtown Management District. per person for this exclusive opportunity. For "Modem residential living in Downtown El many, there is a lot of curiosity and excitement Paso is a relatively new option. Our goals for around our downtown revitalization and they this event are to build awareness of what we want to see what all the talk is about. And to have to offer, build excitement around the idea make it more alluring, we mix in food samples of downtown living and the overall success of and great prizes." our revitalization efforts, and to help our prop­ The goal is to attract 300-plus people to the erty owners highlight their developments and tours. However, Gudenrath notes, "We also try secure future tenants." not to be the all-encompassing event. We want Because residential development is rela­ these people to use our event to gain a greater tively new in the city center, finding participant familiarity of our downtown, tour the develop­ sites for the tour is not a problem. "We've been ments, and still have time to have lunch, dinner, able to invite all who would like to participate," a few drinks, or do some shopping afterwards." Gudenrath says. "They have to be within or Lessons learned from the 2017 tour have adjacent to our district, pay a participation fee, led to some changes this year. "As we do with and provide people to show off the develop- all of our events, we sent a follow-up survey to ( the participants and gained great insight into what worked and what didn't. We recognized some areas for Open house succeeds with realtor participation improvement, but the survey allowed The annual Downtown LifestyleTour in Wilmington, NC (est. pop. us to identify other areas, as well," says 106,476), has been offered for several years. The goal is to, "introduce Gudenrath. "We learned that while people to the unique housing options that downtown offers and to pro­ people could start their tour at any location at any time, most of the people mote how great it can be to live here," says Wilmington Downtown, Inc. showed up right at the start and at loca­ The tour is one effort within the larger long-term economic develop­ tions closest to parking lots. People ment strategyto increase the number of downtown residents who will also really appreciated our efforts to patronize citycenter shops, restaurants, and attractions. highlight local restaurants, as well as The tour features a range of housing options including condos, apart­ apartments." Participants expressed the most ments over storefronts, and new construction. But the group was finding '- frustration over the lack of availabil- it increasingly difficultto recruit people willing to show their homes. ity of units at some developments, the Instead, says Ed Wolverton, president and CEO of Wilmington necessity of using stairs at some tour Downtown, the organization partneredwith the Regional Association sites, and that event shuttles were some­ of Realtors. Participationjumped, says Wolverton. Having broker-led times overwhelmed. "Other than the open houses worked out verywell from a volunteer-management stand­ availability of units, we've taken steps point. "They would staff it themselves, which helped expand the base of to improve everything," Gudenrath says. people involved, and lessened our need for volunteer recruitment." Property owners were pleased with the event. "They now know that they l

2 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 will have hundreds of people touring their accomplish. And look at this event as a service development," says Gudenrath, who has some to property owners and a marketing tool in ( advice for other downtown leaders wanting addition to trying to raise a little bit of money," to launch a similar event. "Put together a he says. good plan and create a great experience for Contact: Joe Gudenrath, El Paso Downtown the participant. Find developers and spon­ Management District, (915) 400-2294, ext. 101, sors that understand what you are trying to [email protected]. m

Strong city investment attracts development

projects - Continued/rampage 1

Spending money to attract money something that would make people come Business recruitment efforts indicated downtown over and over again. "We looked that the condition of the downtown area was a at [several options] but the data showed that a stumbling block for the city as a whole. sports and entertainment venue is a top game "We had done some economic develop­ changer," Privette Keller says. "We knew at ment studies, and firsthand interviews with some point we would have to make a decision people who are going out and trying to recruit about our baseball stadium, which is over 20 businesses and researchers, and what we heard years old and has seen no renovation, so [the city was, 'You don't have a vibrant downtown,"' decided to] move it downtown and build a new says Privette Keller. one." City-funded construction on that project ( In 2015, the city bought 80 buildings and begins later this year. 50 acres of the downtown, "basically the entire commercial district," says Privette Keller. Demonstration project Municipal leaders knew that infrastructure moves redevelopment upgrades would be necessary, "if we were forward ever going to be able to sustain our residential, With plans for the as well as increase our retail and restaurants, streetscape and sports so we had been setting aside funding for that and entertainment center piece," she says. in place, the next step Water, sewer, gas lines, and other utilities are being moved underground. "And above ground we will have all new streetscape, with trees and plantings and a linearpark," Privette Keller says. Water features, public restrooms, and distinct public spaces being called "rooms" will also be part of the new streetscape. The rooms are being located in front of occu- pied and future storefronts. Some will be programmed with yoga lessons and other activities, while others will be near food and beverage service and others still will be quiet places to sit and enjoy the outdoors or read. In addition to these improvements, the ( city hired consultants who said that a "game Municipal investment in a Demonstration Project will transform much of changer" was needed for the downtown core, downtown and is already attracting private development projects.

June 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 was a formal agreement with the Lansing Mel­ the city's strategy is paying off. In January, bourne Group on a downtown Demonstration the city council approved an agreement that Project. The mixed-use, multi-story residen­ could see an additional $300 million worth of tial, retail, and parking project is intended to residential, retail, and restaurant development ( OowntownDevelopment.com generate forward momentum and additional in the downtown. To see the project development downtown. "From what [the developers] told us, it's timelines, Master Plan, renderings, and more, LMG is purchasing 3.81 acres for the because of our Demonstration Project, and visit our website and appraised value of $1,640,000 and will spend our putting our money where our mouth was click on Web Extras. about $60 million to construct residential in regards to streetscape and infrastructure," units, a hotel, and retail space. That invest­ Privette Keller says. ment will result in a projected $378,000 in Corporate Realty, Inc., plans to develop first annual property taxes to the city, and another the area in front of the new sports and entertain­ $420,000 to the county. Phase I will include ment venue. "They want to incorporate that 275 residential units, 19,000 square feet of and work out a deal with us where the ticket new retail space, and 34,000 square feet of office, fan shop, and administrative offices renovated retail space. Phase II will include for the venue would be part of their project, either a 106-room hotel or additional residen­ because that needs to be built and ready when tial, based on market demands. the stadium opens in 2020," she says. "We And to further support this project, the have signed an agreement that they can have city will invest $12 million for a parking deck, first dibs, but we are waiting for them to come which LMG will construct. The developer up with a master plan. All of these projects are will lease 275 of the parking spaces from the interdependent on each other, depending on col­ city for $50 a month per space for its tenants. laborations. It's really exciting and there is a lot The city will issue bonds to pay for the park­ going on," Privette Keller says. ing deck. Contact: Annette Privette Keller; City of Even before the streetscape is finished or Kannapolis, (704) 920-4311, aprivettekeller@ ( construction has begun on the other projects, kannapolisnc.gov. m

ECONO.MIC GROWTH Feasibility study a first step in attracting city center hotels

The addition of a hotel, and the extra foot Results were "consistent with what traffic that lodging enables, can be a boon to we expected," says Ken Camilleri, city man­ the downtown economy. However, it can be ager. With data in-hand, Camilleri says he's difficult for cities to attract hotel development been able to make a case to developers. "We without first quantifying the need. The city of certainly have been able to attract the atten­ Pine City, MN (est. pop. 3,127), had to demon­ tion of developers. We weren't able to truly strate downtown's capacity for hotel rooms in get their attention until we had this study," order to be proactive when an existing down­ he says. town hotel announced that it was closing. The A downtown hotel is vital to the local city commissioned Growth Services Group economy, says Camilleri, "bringing in to conduct a Hotel Feasibility Study, which tourism, keeping people here who would showed a downtown capacity for a 42-room otherwise leave the community and instead ( hotel with a pool and meeting space. stay here and spend their money."

4 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 The city of Bethany, MO (est. pop. 3,292), will lose hotel stays and subsequent guest has also commissioned GSG to conduct a spending to other communities." Hotel Feasibility Study for its community. The The city has also commissioned GSG to market study will provide both a demographic conduct a Retail Market Study, and hopes to and economic overview of the area to deter­ leverage the two documents to attract mine the feasibility of a new greenfield hotel new investments. 'We certainly have development in the city center. The study also The city of Raleigh, NC (est. pop. been able to attract the seeks to demonstrate demand and financial 403,892), where a 2015 hotel study attention of developers." performance of a new hotel. indicated that the downtown district "It is important for our community to would need at least 400 more full- identify the needs of our local businesses to service rooms after 2017 - and that city leaders ensure we are providing the necessary accom­ might want to incentivize hotel development to modations to support their efforts," says Jonne attract the right project - has seen increased Slemons, city administrator. "Our employers investment. require sleeping accommodations to host out­ The study was commissioned by the Raleigh of-town recreationists, health-related visitors, CYB, the city, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of employees, vendors, and customers. There is Commerce, and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. also a need for additional space for meetings, Last July, the IO-story Residence Inn training, community events, etcetera. There is Raleigh Downtown opened its doors. The both an ongoing and seasonal demand in our 175-suite, $30-million hotel is the first to open area and it is important that our hotel provide downtown since 2012, reports the Triangle safe and clean accommodations that include Business Journal. The property is adjacent to a the necessary technology to meet these needs. city-owned parking garage and across the street If not, the community and the local merchants from the convention center. m

( \

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Under-utilized upper stories provide opportunities for downtown growth

In some cities, if the downtown wants to 86,270), offers several incentives aimed at grow, it has to go up rather than out. Redevel­ encouraging business and property owners to oping unused or under-used upper-stories can maintain and improve historic downtown build­ provide room for growth and a host of other ings, as well as encouraging redevelopment of benefits for downtowns. Successful upper­ upper stories for residential use. story residential units can help offset the costs In addition to grant programs for cade of operating street-level businesses, provide a improvement, conversion of spaces to retail, more steady revenue stream during seasonal signage grants, and the state-funded Enterprise retail fluctuations, and put more feet on the Zone grants to promote a business-friendly street that create a sense of vibrancy and safety, environment in economically distressed areas, in addition to providing needed variety in a the city also offers the Downtown Residential city's housing market. Grant, designed to fund facade improvements • Incentives and one-stop permit and bring interiors up to code. The grant is processing. The Longmont Downtown Devel­ available for upper-story residential conver­ opment Authority in Longmont, CO (est. pop. sions only. Grants of up to 25 percent of the

June 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 total project cost are available, though the cap ground floor of the building is occupied by limit "may be lifted for projects that fulfill the Sontag's shoe repair shop. LDDA's downtown vision." The city's economic development offi­ Prior to beginning these programs, appli­ cials are hoping the project will be the first cants must meet with the LODA staff and of many aimed at activating vacant upper­ submit completed applications for review. story spaces. "We're just trying to get more Applicants may also have to meet with the people to make investments downtown and to board of directors before receiving final live downtown and work downtown," Mary approval of grant requests. Applicants are Crockett, the city's community development required to demonstrate how their project coordinator, tells the Daily News. Local and aligns with the Downtown Longmont Master state officials hope the rehab project will Plan of Development and/or the Downtown encourage more property owners to explore Downtown Development.com Longmont Creative District Goals and Strate­ historic tax credits and inspire additional To view Clinton, NC's gies in order to be considered for funding. investment downtown. Mixed-Use and Second­ Additionally, grants are awarded on a reim­ "I think as much as getting dollars for this Story Residential Development Incentive bursement basis only after completed projects specific project, this is also about showing Program guidelines, pass LODA inspection. that these credits are accessible for smaller visit our website and To better coordinate and streamline rede­ cities," Crockett says. According to Crockett, click on Web Extras. velopment efforts, the city also created its new the project was the only one in the nation Development Center and One-Stop Permit last year to utilize both the HUD Main Street Processing system so that customers can get grant and national historic tax credits for all their information, plan reviews, and build­ upper-story rehab. ing permits at one location rather than having The city is hoping that more residents will to travel between remote city facilities. The also attract more businesses. "When you get Development Center houses several city more people living downtown, other things departments, including Planning, Economic follow suit," Crockett tells the Daily News. ( Development, Development Services, Public • Second-story development becomes a Works Engineering, Building Inspection, and planning priority. The Clinton 2035 Compre­ Parks and Open Space Administration. Addi­ hensive Plan in Clinton, NC (est. pop.8,639), tionally, Longmont Power and Communication, identifies second-story residential develop­ Public Works & Natural Resources, and the ment downtown as one of the top priorities fire department maintain satellite offices at the for the future. As a result, city staff and the Development Center. Clinton Main Street Program have developed • Tapping into multiple funding sources. the Second-Story Residential Development There are roughly 60 commercial buildings in Incentive Program. This program aims to the historic downtown core of Xenia, OH (est. encourage and incentivize upper-story resi­ pop. 25,719). Most storefronts are occupied, dential development in the Downtown Clinton but the city has long considered the vacant Commercial Historic District. upper floors an economic development priority. "The development of these types of Last year, thanks to a combination of $183,715 units will increase property values, increase in historic tax credits, a $500,000 Main Street patronage of downtown businesses, and grant from the U.S. Department of Hous- increase the profile and density of downtown ing and Urban Development, city funds, and Clinton," says Clinton Main Street. "The building owner match, work began to renovate National Main Street Center cites second­ the long-vacant upper stories of the 141-year­ story residential development in historic old Litt Brothers building into five downtown commercial districts as being the single most apartments. important element of successful and prosper­ "These are great old apartments and having ous downtowns." them full will just feel better," building owner To drive upper-story development, the ( Tim Sontag tells the Dayton Daily News. The city will waive water, sewer, and fire line

6 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 connection fees associated with the creation tity of water, sewer, and fire line taps must be of second-story residential units within the approved by the city's public works director. If downtown up to $5,000. Fees above that cap are everything is in order, applications are approved ( the responsibility of the property owner and/or by the city's planning director. developer. Additionally, developers must receive a To qualify, new residential units must be Certificate of Occupancy from the Sampson in upper floors of existing commercial build­ County building inspector within 180 days of ings. The first floor must be either occupied by, the water, sewer, and fire line tap fee waiver, available for lease, or under construction for a or risk being billed for the full amount. The commercial use. Applications, available in print new units must be used for residential purposes or online, are submitted to the city's planning for at least three years. However, a vacant department. Site plans are reviewed by the unit being used for storage is not considered Clinton-Sampson Technical Review Commit­ "another use" as long as the property is avail­ tee for compliance with all relevant land use able and "appropriately advertised as available and building regulations. The size and quan- for rent." m

Art program activates vacant storefront

WindOWS, helps lease Space -Continuedfrompage 1

"Then I was recruited by the Hennepin "That was in September, 2013, and ( Theatre Trust, which is one of the largest Made Here was born," Vorderbruggen says. nonprofit arts organizations in the state," says The public was encouraged to come view Vorderbruggen.The Trust, which owns the his­ the art independently, and guided tours were toric Orpheum, State, and Pantages theatres, is also provided. "After that, we brought on dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural [Minnesota-based] Andersen Windows as our development. "The organization had won a presenting sponsor," says Vorderbruggen. grant to do a cultural district plan, which was The Trust engaged legal counsel to an 18-month comprehensive planning pro­ create "a very simplified and efficient lease cess. One goal of that plan was a no-vacancy agreement that was very nimble," she says. project. People had reported walking along "We asked for 30 days' notice to Hennepin Avenue and it being an uneven expe­ vacate, and we have done so in 10. 'We've seen increased rience, with some vibrant areas, and some dark Our artists are aware of that, as well." investment by property and scary areas." To attract artists during the early owners in their own The city had what Vorderbruggen deems years of the program, "we hosted open properties." a "failed investment" in the development of calls and issued press releases, and I Block E, which had been meant to grow into had a large network of local artists. Everyone an anchoring retail and entertainment destina­ had this feeling that we were helping each tion for the downtown. "In the course of the other. I was helping artists, and they also felt three years after it opened, it had a 70-percent that they were helping me move forward vacancy and every [attraction effort] had failed, on something that was important in helping so I activated 40 vacant windows with 27 art our city." installations," she says. The Trust also held a To make participation accessible for poetry contest on the marquee of the vacant emerging artists, a resume is not required. "We l theater, and piped a local music series through simply ask for their ideas, and how they plan to the building's speaker system. execute them," Vorderbruggen says. inneap-

June 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 7 olis has one of the greatest racial equity gaps in hotel brochure racks, and poster-sized maps are the country. But 40 percent of our participants displayed outside of exhibition areas. are artists of color, and gender balanced. We have children and students, seniors, and people Public art installations offer ( living with disabilities." many benefits A 20-member Made Here Arts Advisory The Made Here program is helping to fill Panel comprised of multi-faceted artists and vacancies. "We position this as a win-win for arts professionals sort through the biannual everyone," says Vorderbruggen. "I think that 13 submissions each summer and winter. Entries properties with a combined vacancy of more are scored based on quality, relevance, viabil­ than 50 years have acquired tenants or new ity, and whether the work is compelling to a owners within 12 months of participation, so it diverse audience. The panel meets quarterly, really does create a positive forward motion for and also develops themes and curates the vacant spaces." exhibits. There have also been public safety ben­ Last December's theme was Energy: Made efits, "that we didn't understand until we had Here, featuring the works of more than 30 implemented a few times," Vorderbruggen says. Minnesota artistsexploring the theme of energy "People have a change in their perception of through 20 window displays and two large­ safety. This has also increased entrepreneur­ scale photography exhibits. The launch event ship in smaller vacant spaces, and we've seen included a walking tour, live music, perfor­ increased investment by property owners in mance artists, refreshments, and more. their own properties. Artists accepted into the Made Here Because the program is so accessible, this program are provided with a clean, secure is often an artists' first foray into public art, commercial storefront space in which to create so we've seen our artists really develop their a visual display of their work, and a $500 sti­ public-art muscles, win awards, and go on pend. The program also provides professional to exhibit nationally," she says. "This is very ( installation assistance, electricity, minimal much an incubator for artists' careers." carpentry, and basic lighting materials when Downtown has also seen an increase in necessary. All showcase windows are clearly residency. "People tell me that they know about branded, professionally photographed, and then Made Here, and that it does make a big impres­ extensively marketed via a dedicated web page, sion," says Vorderbruggen. "People get really social media, launch parties, and other com­ excited and anticipate the change. We put up munity events. Additionally, maps of the urban 'corning soon' posters, and the community gets walking gallery are printed and displayed in excited to see the unveiling of new windows." Retail may have moved from brick and mortar to "click and order," she says, "but one of the things that can combat this is to have creative experiences that you can't have on your laptop, that you have to go downtown and see. Artists are capable of bringing those experi­ ences in ways that corporate America can't." Over time, the program has also evolved as a social justice platform. "At first, we could only do pretty things, but over time, once we won the trust of some building and property owners, artists began focusing on issues that they wanted people to connect with," says Vorderbruggen. The Made Here program fills vacant storefronts with locally produced art, In addition to the volunteer advisory panel, ( and hopefully, with new tenants. Made Here has a paid staff of two: one serves

8 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 as a "stage manager" while the other is the "We have never paid rent on any space," "talent wrangler," Vorderbruggen says, noting says Vorderbruggen," but we do invest money in that the program is labor intensive, and that beautifying spaces, and we provide insurance." ( "knowing how to talk about art installations is Traditionally, Made Here exhibits have challenging" when dealing with business and rotated twice annually, "but this summer we're property owners who may not have a back­ going to increase that, and we are now actu­ ground in the arts. ally occupying building sites with large-scale Made Here is supported through the Hen­ photography, so the program is expanding to nepin Theatre Trust's operating budget, as well include more than just vacancies," explains as sponsorships, grants from local foundations, Vorderbruggen. "We are looking toward becom­ and even fees from buildings that want to stay ing a museum turned inside-out with temporary on the tour map as exhibit sites. In addition, public artalong these downtown blocks." hotels provide in-kind support by offering Contact: Joan Vorderbruggen, Hennepin Theatre event space to the Trust in return for Made Trust, (612) 205-8516, joan. vorderbruggen@ Here installations. hennepintheatretrust.org. m

PATHWAYS AND PUBLIC SPACES Satellite police locations, activation work together to reduce crime

Adding a police presence and more spring. "In just a few weeks, businesses and ( activity to an area can change perceptions, residents have noticed changes." attract new users, and discourage criminals. In The project was funded in part by the downtown San Jose, CA (est. pop. 945,942), Sharks Foundation (the charitable arm of the Fountain Alley is being activated with those San Jose Sharks hockey team). The foundation goals in mind. A number of community groups donated $20,000 toward a beautification project have joined business and property owners and ongoing crime prevention efforts. The first in a series of projects aimed at positioning phase of work focused on low-cost physical Fountain Alley "as a social center linking improvements to the space. Volunteers stenciled the National Register Historic District with a sharks onto freshly repainted and replanted pots, burgeoning maker district,' says the San Jose streamed lights and flags in the team's colors Downtown Association. overhead in the alley, and picked up litter. A flurry of activities launched last spring Other nearby formerly neglected spaces had a positive impact, as did the opening of have been activated recently, adding to "the a police services office in a building at the positive energy around Fountain Alley," says the alley's center. The San Jose Police Founda­ Association. tion is paying the rent, but the shared space is With the success of the first round of used by the city police department, the Santa improvements, the Association is working with Clara Sheriff's deputies, San Jose State Uni­ local university students on a second round of versity police, and the BIDs clean and safe more costly physical improvements as well as team. While the entrance is low key and lacks programing the space with activities. signage, foot patrols come and go on a regular Industrial design students at San Jose State basis. University, supported by the Association's "The scruffy guys who used to hang Street Life Manger, Jason Su, are designing and out there just aren't around anymore," said producing temporary full-size prototypes that Association President Stan Vuckovich last show how Fountain Alley can be improved and

June 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 9 activated. They focused on seating, stages, Tower Satellite Office opened last June, mark­ mobile solar hubs and lighting, and gardens. ing a return of the department to the district The public was invited to attend co­ six years after budget constraints forced the designing workshops this winter "where ideas department to close its former police station in are created in real time." Those ideas will the area, says The Fresno Bee. be designed and rolled out this spring at a "In the intervening years, business owners "summer picnic" event. and residents have lamented the loss of a One project which will improve the physi­ permanent police presence in the area," reports cal space and bring activity to the alley calls The Bee. Feedback during community meet­ for 100 artists to create 100 mini-murals in a ings reinforced the need for a police presence. mosaic pattern on the alley. "With momentum "We have a lot of people who come from building, the vision for Fountain Alley is start­ outside and visit from outside (the area), and ing to form around creating a central meeting we want to make sure it's a safe place not only space for the maker community," says the for the people who live in the neighborhood, Association. but also for the people that want to visit our "In Silicon Valley, the best private spaces businesses and spend a little bit of their money for employees on tech campuses gain the in the area," said City Councilwoman Esmer­ competitive advantage," says Nate Echever­ alda Soria. ria, SJDA director of policy and operations. The area has seen an increase in vehicle "We're going to do the same thing here, but and residential burglaries since the police sta­ in a public way. We won't stop until we create tion closure in 2011. the best space for our community, a place "Having police officers in this area is where ideas can meet." naturally going to deter those types of crimes from occurring, and when they do occur, Satellite police office improves we'll be able to respond more quickly," added perceptions Captain Phil Cooley. "Being here we couldn't ( Fresno, CA (est. pop. 494,665), is also dissuade people from being involved in cer- increasing the visibility of police officers by tain criminal activity. But I can tell you that opening a "report-writing office" of the Fresno by our presence back here in the Tower, we Police Department in the Tower District. The will deter criminal activity." While the office won't be staffed full-time, Fresno Playgrounds, food truck parking, and more Police Chief Jerry Dyer said create a sense of safety · patrol officers and commu- nity service officers will be Even for cities that lack opportunitiesto open satellite police stations, acti­ coming in and out of the sat­ vation can play an importantrole in deterring crime. That is, in part,the theory ellite office to write reports behind the new Pine Street Plaza unveiled in Seattle, WA, in January.The city's and take breaks. DepartmentofTransportation and the Downtown SeattleAssociation transformed A new bicycle patrol several parking spaces into a brightly painted blue and yellow mosaic complete team assigned to the district with bistro seating, food trucks, games, daily staffing, and public art.To attract will also be based in the users, a free grand opening was held, featuring refreshments and live music. office. "Eventually we do want to staffthis full­ The plaza, located across from the Westlake Tunnel Station, is meant to extend time, or at least as much as positive changes brought about by the introduction of a playground and picnic we can, so we can accept tables in nearby Westlake Park, according to a report by KIRO 7 News. walk-in traffic, people who "If you're doing illegal activity,you don'treally want an audience," one long­ want to report issues to the time downtown employee told KIRO 7. "There's a lot more people in the park police department," he says. year-round, playing games, doing stuff." "We are well on our way ( towards that." IJIIJI

10 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 ISSN 0012-5822 Idea Exchange Downtown Idea Exchange ( A publication of the Downtown Development Center Measuring festival impact one-month pilot program that 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 A comprehensive study shows designates the curbside along one Phone: (973) 265-2300 • Fax: (973) 402-6056 city block exclusively for pick-up Email: [email protected] that a long-running downtown fes­ Website: www.DowntownDevelopment.com and drop-off. The zone will be tival makes a significant economic Editor impact, and uncovers opportunities in effect from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sheila Grant, ext. 110 for improvement. on Fridays and Saturdays. Down­ [email protected] The study, conducted by Asso­ town visitors are asked to park in Technical Editor Laurence A. Alexander ciate Professor Bob Lee of Bowling other designated areas throughout the city during these hours. And Customer Service Green State University, found that Mary Pagliaroli, ext. 101 upwards of 20,000 attendees were vehicles parked in the pick-up and [email protected] at the 36th annual Main Street Port drop-off zone will be towed, says Reprints and Permissions Clinton Walleye Festival in Port the city. Michael DeWitt, ext. 107 [email protected] Clinton, OH. "The total economic Publisher impact to Ottawa County was 67 Main street retail in the Margaret DeWitt, ext. 106 jobs, $1.8 million added in labor age of Amazon [email protected] income, and a total economic Downtown Idea Exchange® is published monthly by The wishes of the elusive the Downtown Development Center. The Center output of $3.8 million annually," provides news, information and data for successful according to the study. downtown shopper come into downtown revitalization through its newsletters, books, reports, and website. "We always knew it made a focus in research from brand strat­ difference, but until we saw the egist WD Partners. Speaking at the ') Alexander Communications Group National Retail Federation, EVP • © 2018 Alexander Communications ( numbers, I don't think we really Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No pan of this pub­ understood how big of an impact it Lee Peterson reported on the top lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted i11 any form or by any means, was," says Nikki Adams, president concepts that will shape retail in electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, the months ahead. without the prior written permission of Alexander of the Port Clinton Area Chamber Communications Group. Two concepts are of particular of Commerce. Subscription Order Form: interest to downtown retailers: In addition to looking at Please start/renew my one-year economic impact, the researchers Experiential retail. WD's subscription to Downtown Idea conducted surveys at the festival. study found that half of surveyed Exchange for $227.* Suggestions for improvement consumers are interested in experi­ NAME ranged from more parking to more ential retail events. In one example,

shaded areas to educational displays Outdoor Voices took selling fitness TITLE on the history of the festival and apparel a step further by offering ecology of Lake Erie. exercise classes at its brick-and­ FIRM/ORGANIZATION mortar stores. ADDRESS Downtown tests pick-up On-site food service. For young people, shopping and eating and drop off zones CITY STATE ZIP go together. According to WD's Boise, ID, has an active study, 63 percent of Millennials PHONE weekend nightlife. Streets can be and Generation Z consumers were congested around downtown bars interested in eating while shopping EMAIL N15 and restaurants, especially when � MAIL: 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E at their favorite stores. Restora­ Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers are tion Hardware decided to cater to i;;;:. FAX: (973) 402-6056 looking for a spot to pick-up and the se consumers by opening its 3 if PHONE: (973) 265-2300 @ EMAIL: drop-offpa ssengers. Arts Club Cafe inside its flagship [email protected] * North America, $227. Elsewhere, $257 The city has embarked on a Chicago store. (includes international delivery).

June 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 11 Idea Exchange

New city hall to spur redevelopment Commission needed to�raw attention to public art In early spring, the city council Elmhurst, IL, Alderman Marti Deuter hopes that a proposed public in Elroy, AZ, approved contracts to arts commission will draw people to the city center to experience the art begin construction of a new city hall that is currently on display and to bring in new artand related events. building. The move retains city hall, its staff, and functions downtown, The proposal calls for the commission to have two to four community and is a potential catalyst for rede­ members who are artsupporters. It also would include representatives'<.-, velopment. from the city, artmuseum, college, library, Elmhurst CityCentre, and the "The overall goals of the city Elmhurst Artists Guild. hall are to create a new, central- Initially, the commission ized building that fosters enhanced would work to raise awareness services to customers, promotes about existing artand then efficiency of staff, and demon­ move on to add new pieces to strates a continued commitment to the city's collection. downtown," says Community Devel­ opment Director Jon Vlaming.

Funding opportunity for arts-based placemaking and schematic designs for the area of Mixed incentives aim to downtown adjacent to the river. attract new restaurants The National Endowment for the The application deadline is To bring more full-service Arts has announced grant guidelines August 9, 2018. For complete restaurants to Rolling Meadows, and deadlines for the 2019 Our Town information including the program IL, the city is taking steps to offer a program. description and objectives, award new incentive program. The targeted The program supports projects information, and how to prepare and that integrate arts, culture, and design submit an application visit www.arts. plan calls for offering any indi­ activities that strengthen communi­ gov Igrants-organizations/ our-town/ vidual, group, or small business that ties by advancing local economic, introduction. purchases or rents space for a new physical, and/or social outcomes. full-service restaurant the following incentives: Projects may include activities First Mile Last Mile program such as: Artist residency, arts fes­ • A food and beverage tax-shar­ tivals, community creation of art, makes travel easier ing agreement where the city rebates performances, public art, cultural Getting downtown without a car 40 percent of taxes for the first year planning, creative asset mapping, has gotten a bit easier in Phoenix, and 20 percent for the second year. design of cultural facilities, and cre­ AZ, thanks to the city's First Mile • A reduction in the cost of city ative business development among Last Mile pilot program. The goal permit fees of up to $5,000 (or for others. is to ease travel to and from fixed renters, up to three months rent, A recent grant to Art Spaces, transit stops in the city center. The whichever is lower). Inc. supports the design of an area program (which began in mid­ The city would also require a reconnecting the City of Terre Haute October 2017) allows riders in some business and marketing plan and to the Wabash River. Building off areas to use Lyft at a reduced rate that the business remain open for previous planning work, the City will for rides to and from one of more a full year from the purchase or use its grant for design development than 500 city bus stops. lease date. m

12 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • June 2018 (

Vol. 65, No. 7 ACCESS AND MOBILITY July 2018 Demonstration project educates Inside this issue and engages the public One-minute videos keep city center top of mind. The Las Olas Boulevard Six­ The temporary installations Series educates both locals Month Safety Improvements allowed the city to test ideas quickly and site selectors ..•...•.• 2 Demonstration Project in Fort Lau­ and inexpensively. "The project was derdale, FL (est. pop. 178,752), is installed in four weeks compared to Blending old and new in an part of an overall Community Invest­ a full reconstruction project, which alley redesign. Mixed-use ment Plan that includes safety and would take approximate! y 12 to 18 development incorporates traffic calming improvements that months," says the city. "The cost sensitive design elements ..•4 will create a safer connection between to install the demonstration project Supporting new developers the central business district, the busy was two to five percent compared to ( and entrepreneurs. Modest boulevard, and local beaches. Tem­ a complete roadway reconstruction buildings provide low-cost porary installations aim to increase project." commercial space ..•.•.... 5 safety for drivers, bicyclists, and The city provides information pedestrians while also balancing the about the project on its website, Placemaking projects needs of residents, business owners, social media platforms, through press activate areas around city and visitors. ( Continued on page 3) halls. Municipal grounds become a destination in their own right ..•...... ••• 6 ATTRACTION Addressing vacancy. New Exploring ways to expand ordinance offers incentives and penalties to owners who the holiday season downtown let properties sit unused .. 10 From Small Business Saturday Chillicothe spent one summer polling Idea Exchange. Construction through Christmas, city centers are merchants to discover what worked site incorporates public art, finding creative ways to attract more and what did not in the city's holi­ . Soft touch improves parking, foot traffic and capture more holi­ day event calendar. This early input and more.'....•••..•..••• 11 day spending each year. Shop local allowed the organization to keep the programs, community tree lightings, best aspects of its holiday promotion @DowntownDevelopment.com unique celebrations and more pro­ while tweaking others to better meet Grow St. Charles vide holiday magic that entices more the needs of downtown merchants. Monday Minutes customers into downtown's shops Surveys were emailed to down­ Safety improvement videos and restaurants. town businesses asking whether It's never too soon to begin plan­ events should be held in November Vacant Building ning for the holidays. In Chillicothe, or December, whether one large Registry Ordinance MO (est. pop. 9,714), Main Street ( Continued on page 8)

© 2018 Alexander Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ATTRACTION Weekly, one-minute videos keep city center top of mind

The new Grow St. Charles Monday Minute develop a relationship with a community col­ video series is allowing the Economic Develop­ lege or high school. Even a high school kid ment Department in St. Charles, MO (est. pop. with a camera could do this without a hitch. 69,293), to highlight everything from retention I'm sure there is somebody out there that would and recruitment efforts to its thriving defense, do it for no cost or a very low cost." aerospace, and healthcare industries. Topics have included an explanation of The series, which launched in March, is the rigorous process his department underwent part of the city's overall marketing strategy to to be recognized by the International Eco­ establish "a pattern of awareness," says David nomic Development Council as an Accredited Leezer, director of economic development. Economic Development Organization; an "What we are talking about is the goal that we explanation of ways that a university's pres­ somehow, some way, touch our sphere of influ­ ence and investment add to the area's quality of ence, our outside influencers, our community, life, a showcase of local Small Business Week through Facebook, Twitter, print and electronic award winners, and more. newsletters - something that keeps us front One upcoming Monday Minute will attempt and center, top of mind." to put a positive spin on road construction. The videos "have subtle context, but are a "Everyone hates road construction, but I love consistent way to be in front of the people we road construction," Leezer says. "I love what it need to be in front of," Leezer says. Pressure means, which is that we have growth and invest­ was on for the department to do a blog, but ment. If you don't have road construction, it there is a proliferation of blogs, "and I also felt means you don't have anything going on!" that fewer and fewer people are actually read­ As the series expands, guest hosts will also ing them. It's hard to get through that jungle be featured. "We don't want to turn it into a of biogs, so we had to do something different. commercial for another company, so you've got We are calling this our vlog. We are trying to to be very careful with that, but for example, in Downtown Development.com separate ourselves out from everyone else. In one upcoming show, I have an intern from the To view an assortment of Grow St. Charles economic development, you have to differenti­ Center for Advanced Professional Studies who Monday Minutes, visit ate yourself." attends the high school program here," explains our website and click Because the city has its own media depart­ Leezer. "I will introduce him, and then he will on Web Extras. ment, there are no production costs associated sit where I was and take over, talking about with the Monday Minute series. Leezer writes what he does. And I've got a guy who works the scripts, and is always jotting down notes for me - we do 1,000 business retention visits about timely topics and upcoming calendar a year. I'm going to have him talk about our events. "I always have in the hopper 10 to 15 retention program." stories that we are going to be talking about," The primary target audience is site locators, he says. Leezer also "stars" in the videos, but developers, and brokers, but also key contacts notes that St. Charles is the true star of the within the greater St. Charles area, members of show. He takes pains to film in the city council the local business community, and "key thought chambers so that the city logo is prominently leaders," Leezer says. "We want to reach not featured in each video. just the city council, but people who have lived "I shoot five or six at a time," he says. "I'm in the area for their entire lives and only see probably more blessed than some because we the community in one way. I want them to see have a media department, but I think if some­ St. Charles in a favorable, but different, light. body else wanted to do this, and they don't In one recent video, I talked about our historic have somebody to do it internally, they could Main Street. One of St. Charles's claims to

2 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018 fame is that we were the start and end point Grow St. Charles Monday Minutes are of the Lewis and Clark expedition. We are pushed out via the economic development depart­ very proud of that ... [but] we've got a digital ment's social media accounts, Leezer's Linkedln r business incubator on Main Street that people account, and through several other city depart­ don't know about. So I want people to know ment's social media connections. The videos are that Main Street is not just about history, but featured on the growstcharles.com website and better yet, making our own history." also drive viewers to that website. Leezer does not believe the videos Leezer did caution that, "as a public entity, alone will inspire a company to locate in St. when you post something on social media, you Charles, but rather that, "it keeps us top of can't stop public comments. Like anything else, mind and lets people know how good things there have been a couple of people who didn't are here. Also, there are 16 [cities named] St. like what we said or didn't agree, but 99 percent Charles in the United States. I've got to make have been very complimentary. The response has sure when you say St. Charles to a [major site been very good, and people are sharing it, which selection company] they think St. Charles, is what I wanted to see." Missouri rather than another St. Charles in Contact: David Leezer, City of St. Charles, (636) another state." 949-3231, [email protected]. 1E1

Demonstration project educates and

engages the public -Continuedfrompage 1 ( releases, educational brochures, and via a video other rideshare cars. And there are designated explaining the responsibilities of each type of loading/unloading areas on side streets off the traveler within the color-coded demonstration boulevard. area, and another explaining new rideshare The city took pains to spells out how the zones. Blue sections of the roadway indicate project benefits each type of traveler, as well as the pedestrian travel lane and areas where land­ business owners: scaping may be installed. While green indicates bicycle travel lanes, where drivers must yield to peddlers when turning. In addition to the painted lanes, there's a green "bike box" at a traffic light, indicating that bicyclists should stop in the box when the light is red, and that vehicles must stop behind the green area. Sections of the bike lane are also buffered by plastic delineators and rubber curbs. And along areas of the boulevard where bicyclists may use the entire roadway, green painted sharrow markings alert both peddlers and drivers to the shared space. The Demonstration Project also includes designated rideshare zones along the boulevard for drivers to pull in and drop off passengers. Temporary, color-coded lanes indicate dedicated pedestrian and ( The zones provide a safe area on the side­ bicycle lanes during the Las Olas Boulevard Six-Month Safety walk for those waiting for Uber, Lyft, and Improvements Demonstration Project.

July 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 3 city. The bike box also "gives people Small-scale demonstration moves project forward riding bikes a safe and visible way to get ahead of vehicles at the intersection The tiny town of Bennett, NB (est. pop. 814), created a temporary during the red light phase." improvement at the Bennet Village Park before investing in a perma­ • Designated rideshare zones "dis­ nent installation. A splash pad was created by drilling holes in PVC courage unsafe practices such as double pipe. Volunteers added signage and spray painted walkways leading parking or stopping in the travel lane to to the demonstration site. The splash pad was a "rousing success and pick up or drop off passengers," says the offered visitors a chance to imagine what their park could look like in city. the future," says the Citizens' Institute on Rural Design. The day-long • And for business owners, the event, which also included communityart projects and a free movie in city notes that, "biking infrastructure the park, cost about $1,766, and was successful in attractingplenty of increases the number of people biking, feedback from residents of all ages. which increases retail sales." In March, the city began offering an evaluation survey on its website. Once the • For those who drive, slower travel speeds comment period ends, the project will be evalu­ reduce the chances of severe crashes, and, ated based on a number of criteria, including: "the demonstration project also allows people • statistics on crashes and injuries for driving to move efficiently by allocating dif­ motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists; ferent areas for all the users that previously • the number of people driving and biking; shared the asphalt space, like people making deliveries, people dropping off or picking up • user satisfaction; passengers or goods, and people that bike at • and input from business owners, residents, slower speeds." and the city's first responders. • The reduced travel speed also decreases Evaluation of the rideshare and loading the odds of pedestrian- or bicycle-car colli­ zone initiatives will include input from delivery Downtown Development.com sions. The project includes a reduced crossing service and rideshare providers, as well as busi­ To view videos distance at one crosswalk along with an ness owners along the corridor. educating the public about safety advance stop bar on both sides of the intersec­ An evaluation report, along with recommen­ improvements and tion to provide greater pedestrian visibility dations for next steps, will be presented to the new bike lanes and to drivers. And the designated bike lane city commission later this summer for consid­ rideshare zones, visit increases the comfort level for people who eration. Recommendations could include any our website and click on Web Extras. "are interested in biking but are concerned required city ordinance changes and a mitigation with biking with moving vehicles," says the plan for any parking revenue impacts. m

PATHWAYS AND PUBLIC SPACES Blending old and new in a successful alley redesign

In her annual State of the City presentation, The project saw a historic alley in the city Nancy Harris, mayor of Duluth, GA (est. pop. center reimagined as a 30,000-square-foot 29,331), highlighted the continued buildout restaurant and retail hub. The alley now boasts of downtown's Parsons Alley as an important a large plaza to serve the downtown area and accomplishment for the city. The mixed-use adjacent restaurants with seating, a bocce ball development welcomed several new restaurants court, performance stage, public art, outdoor and a retail shop last year. signage, outdoor lighting, and redesigned sur-

4 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018 face parking. Renovated historic buildings and the pedestrian within the shopping district, says new construction host a wide range of dining Bethany, while still accommodating transporta­ and shopping. tion by car. ( Eric Bethany, a project manager with Great public space. Parsons Alley is ide­ design firm Kronberg Wall, says that several ally located at the end of Duluth's Town Green. important design elements come together in the In designing the public space, project partner alley and contribute to its success as a "vibrant TSW used the community-focused plaza to public gathering spot and a destination." extend that civic space into Parsons Alley and Bethany explains the core design principles create a natural community gathering space and and details that were essential to the Parsons showcase for public art. Alley redevelopment: Familiar materials. One of the challenges Storefronts you can touch. Aluminum of the project was making sure that the two storefront is affordable and efficient, says adaptive-reuse buildings and four new-construc­ Bethany, but it's not nice to touch or look at tion buildings spoke the same visual language, and it is difficult to incorporate into a design says Bethany. The form and scale of the new with traditional references. Instead, the design buildings were designed with that in mind, as team opted for fiberglass frames for most of the well as the selection of familiar materials such retail storefronts, because these are closer to as wood, brick, and clear glass. the wood storefronts you would see in a tradi­ Attention to detail. A lot of the detail­ tional commercial building. ing of the brickwork, storefronts, roofs, and It's all about the glass. Retailers and cornices was inspired by traditional retail pedestrians alike love huge panes of glass at buildings that you might find in a historic eye level. Expansive clear glass at the pedes­ commercial district. trian level allows for inviting window displays, Variety. One great way to kill walkability, while divided transom windows bathe the says Bethany, is to design boring buildings ( interior spaces with a softer light. and public space. Variety of form, color, and Perimeter parking. Pushing parking to material keeps pedestrians at Parsons Alley the perimeter of the site places the emphasis on engaged. m

ECONOMIC GROWTH Community Revitalization Ownership Project supports new developers and entrepreneurs

In Milwaukee, WI (est. pop. 595,047), activity that threaten the value and image of the city is looking to its underused assets for nearby properties. opportunities to increase entrepreneurship "We wanted to design a project that would and provide needed businesses in underserved make these buildings into opportunities to communities. increase property ownership and build wealth The city owns a significant inventory of among people who care about the health of tax-foreclosed commercial buildings in low­ low-income neighborhoods," says Little. "We income neighborhoods that lack access to believe that, once renovated, these modest many necessary goods and services, says Ken buildings can provide low-cost commercial Little, commercial corridor manager. "These space in underserved markets. Many are vacant buildings are highly visible symbols located in neighborhoods adjacent to Milwau­ of distress; targets for vandalism and criminal kee's current downtown revitalization boom."

July 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 5 The project moved forward with support identifying renovation financing, and identify­ from the National League of Cities Equitable ing technical assistance resources to support Economic Development (EEO) Fellowship. entrepreneurs. The fellowship provides one year of technical One component of the project is a assistance to a class of six cities annually to nine-month commercial real estate training help them pursue more equitable and inclusive program for minority participants. During the economic development policies and programs 2016/2017 program, students developed revi­ in traditionally underserved communities. talization and re-use concepts for city-owned Working with the Fellowship team, the foreclosed commercial properties as part of city developed the Community Revitalization their course work. Ownership Project (CROP) which seeks to "We are continuing to work with several spur neighborhood revitalization by provid­ of the students to determine whether they can ing space for entrepreneurs and emerging new actually pursue purchase and development of uses such as maker spaces. The CROP project the properties on which they focused during has four goals: their classwork," says Matt Haessley, the city's • Increase the sale and redevelopment of real estate specialist. "We have identified city tax-foreclosed commercial buildings owned by funds that could provide gap financing for sev­ the city. eral CROP development projects." • Provide opportunities for minority and The EED team also created an advisory immigrant developers to obtain development committee which includes representatives of experience by purchasing and renovating small, lending institutions, the U.S. Small Business tax-foreclosed buildings. Administration, and Wisconsin's largest micro­ • Attract entrepreneurs to occupy vacant, lender. The committee provided advice about renovated properties. financing opportunities and undertook a space needs survey among local start-up businesses. • Returnjob s and business activity to dis­ tressed commercial districts. Little and Haessley shared details on Milwaukee's experience participating in the EED Fellowship Key strategies for the project include program during a Cities Speak interview. The EED targeting minority residents interested in com­ Fellowship program is ongoing, accepting six new mercial development, creating partnerships cities annually. For details, visit nlc.org and enter to develop a pipeline to entrepreneur tenants, "EED Fellowship" in the search bar. ID

PATHWAYS AND PUBLIC SPACES Placemaking projects activate areas around city halls

A trip to city hall in Boston, MA The city has entered into a three-year (est. pop. 673,184), might also now include contract with Boston Garden Development beer, ice cream, and mini golf, at The Corporation to revitalize the drab and unde­ Patios, a placemaking initiative launched rused plaza with seasonal programing and this May at City Hall Plaza. The Patios amenities, including: joins several projects nationwide that are activating the once-staid plazas and gardens • the Wachusett Brew Yard, which is host surrounding governmental buildings in city to several local breweries; centers. • ice cream from a local creamery;

6 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018 • the Boston Public Library's Bibliocycle, a mobile library which offers pop-up storytimes, { book checkouts, and card sign ups; • and numerous events, including visits with adoptable puppies. The Patios is the city's first sum­ mertime offering. Cold weather activation brought a skating rink, apres ski lounge, and gift chalets to city hall plaza over the winter. The Plazas design incorporates a blend of reclaimed wood and greenery. Civic space upgrades around the country Boston is not the only city hoping to gift of the playgrounds has spurred interest in further Civic Center improvements. make its municipal public spaces more attrac­ While the department has been offering tive. Last summer, the city of Philadelphia, food carts daily, and a weekly food truck PA (est. pop. 1,526,006), used a placemaking event, there still seems to be a desire from grant from Southwest Airlines to enliven its the community for a fixed food and drink city hall courtyard with a pop-up beer garden. amenity, Recreation and Park spokesperson While one municipal plaza in front of Phila­ Connie Chan tells the Examiner. delphia City Hall was refurbished four years Small cities are also looking to activate ago and is managed by the Center City Dis­ their city hall parks and plazas. Colleyville, trict, the city's courtyard, portal walkways, ( TX (est. pop. 22,807), gathered public input and sidewalks are "in tatters," according to this spring for the design of a new Plaza at The Philadelphia Inquirer. City Hall. Three designs are under consid­ Renovating those outdoor areas would eration. Each takes a different approach to cost millions, so in the meantime, the pop-up traffic flow in the area. beer garden aims to lure the public to the One option calls for keeping the lane area. The grant paid for seating, umbrel- between the plaza and city hall open to traf­ las, a performance stage, and "an ambitious fic and retaining about 16 parallel parking schedule of events being curated by the city's spaces. Another option calls for temporary culture staff," says the Inquirer. closure of the lane with bollards so that This spring, city leaders in San Fran­ food trucks and maintenance vehicles could cisco, CA (est. pop. 805,235) were consid­ still access the plaza, but there would be no ering the "Civic Center Commons" as the regular traffic flow. A third option would rebrand for public space around city hall, and require complete closure of the lane to traf­ exploring the option of management by an fic. Eliminating vehicular traffic, parking, "outside organization," says the San Fran­ and sidewalks would increase the plaza size cisco Examiner. The long-term strategy for by 50 percent and strengthen the connection the space may include new amenities such as between the public space and the municipal a cafe. complex, designers say. The cafe initiative is being explored by Other elements of the plan that can be the city's Recreation and Park Department, altered to fit the budget are the size and inter­ which recently broke ground on two replace­ activity of a water feature, the type of shade ment Civic Center playgrounds using a $10 structures offered, and the inclusion of string million grant from a local foundation. The lighting over the lane and seating areas. m

July 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 7 Exploring ways to expand the holiday

Season downtown -Continuedfrompage 1 ( event or a series of smaller events was pre­ • To leverage national marketing efforts ferred, which day of the week was best, and surrounding Small Business Saturday, the how late businesses wished to remain open. Downtown Schenectady (NY) Improvement Business owners were also asked to rank event Corporation launched its annual Holiday Shop­ options, and were given write-in opportunities ping Pass promotion the first Saturday after to suggest new events and new ways to promote Thanksgiving. Downtown customers could pick

Downtown Development.com events. Write-in suggestions included that, up passes at nearly 30 participating business To view the Main Street in the days leading up to an event, merchants locations. Merchants stamped the passes in $5 Chillicothe merchant receive mini candy canes with labels on them and $10 increments. Once cards were filled survey, visit our containing event information to insert into bags with $150 in purchases, customers dropped website and click on along with customer purchases, and to have them off at any participating location to be Web Extras. someone with a great "Santa voice" do all of entered to win prizes, including a $250 down­ the seasonal radio ads and be the one inviting town shopping spree and tickets to holiday people to come downtown. events. To create a festive downtown vibe, the Campaigns battle big-box and Improvement Corporation also sponsored a online shopping Holiday Window Contest for downtown busi­ From Black Friday to Cyber Monday and nesses so that retailers would look their best beyond, downtown organizations work dili­ for all the extra customers brought in by the gently on campaigns to help small, independent shopping pass promotion. A panel of judges business owners attract and retain holiday shop­ selected winning windows. Downtown visitors ping dollars. also got to vote , and everyone who voted was • Asheville, NC, ran a "Taking entered into prize drawings. Winning busi­ Back Black Friday" campaign. nesses received a congratulatory ad in the local "Instead of waking up at 4 a.m., daily newspaper. waiting in long lines, bumper-to­ • To encourage more holiday shopping in bumper traffic, the frenetic madness their district, the Flatiron 23rd Street Partner­ of sales and crowds, we invite you ship in New York City hosts a gift wrapping to slow down and enjoy the day station, complete with seasonal refreshments, after Thanksgiving," read PR for the entertainment, and prize drawings, in a public event. "Asheville has 250 indepen­ plaza each Friday during December. dent restaurants, a dozen shopping Customers need only bring their gifts and districts filled with local entrepre­ the receipt showing proof of purchase for $25 neurs catering to unique tastes, or more from the month of December to the gift hundreds of artists who open their wrapping station. A list of qualifying stores is studios to the public, and galleries that show­ provided to consumers via an annual shopping case them." guide and on the partnership's website. • Local First Indiana created a Think • The Downtown Albany BID created Local First Holiday Guide filled with gift ideas its Jingle Elf Quest to draw more customers from local, independent businesses in Bloom­ downtown. Pictures of jingle elves were hidden ington, IN. The guide included gift ideas to "in plain sight" inside businesses throughout suit various budgets and recipients, a list of downtown. Customers located elves, snapped a gift cards and gift certificates available from photo of themselves with the elves, and shared local merchants, and a list of events happening the images on the BID's Facebook page, Insta­ during its Plaid Friday promotion and through­ gram account, Twitter account, or by email to out the holiday season. the BID. Each photo with an elf at a different

8 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018 location was worth one elf point. The "jingle Custom pole banners elf quester" to earn the most elf points was announce the dates awarded the grand prize. Posters marketing of Christmas Prelude ( in Kennebunkport, the promotion and depicting the elves helped ME, where the Hat consumers know what to look for, as did the Parade is a popular list of participating businesses available on the event. BID website.

Special events draw visitors for timeless activities and new traditions City centers offer extra glitter and excite­ ment with holiday lighting and special events for every taste and every age. • The Christmas on the Square Holiday Light up in Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, AB, Canada, takes place from afternoon through dusk. Attendees at this Downtown Business Association event can get a jump on holiday shopping at Christmas Market vendors while listening to choirs sing. Santa Claus makes an appearance to light the 70-foot-tall white spruce bedecked with hundreds of LED lights, and there's a sound, where prizes are awarded in various creative light, and fireworks show at dusk. cap categories. • The Lighting of Atlantic Station sees • By mayoral declaration, Manchester, NH, ( an eight-block area of Atlanta, GA's Mid­ celebrates an official Ugly Christmas Sweater town district ablaze with more than 250,000 Day. The announcement, and awards for Ugli­ holiday lights. Events begin at noon when est Individual Sweater, Ugliest Team Sweater, St. Nick arrives. There are kids' activities all and Worst Holiday Outfit, take place at a afternoon, including make-and-take crafts. downtown plaza that is also home to Intown There's also a holiday fashion show, live Manchester's Holiday Market. Attendees are music and entertainment, and, to add that urged via traditional and social media, and the extra bit of holiday magic, realistic "snow" organization's website, to shop at the market falls over the area. for baked goods, stocking stuffers, hostess • Thanks to its two-week-long Christmas gifts, children's gifts, and more following the Prelude celebration, Kennebunkport, ME, ugly festivities. has been named the Number Two Christmas • In Waukesha, WI, the annual Santa Town in the nation by HGTV. The celebra­ Run is just one part of a month-long Silver tion features art shows, fish chowder dinners, Bells campaign that keeps the downtown trolley tours, and more, but one of the most programmed and populated with potential unique offerings is the annual Hat Parade customers throughout the holiday season. The on the first Saturday of the celebration. A walk/run is a fundraiser for the local Salva­ Prelude Hat-Making Workshop is offered tion Army chapter, and it drives the downtown earlier in the afternoon for those who want to economy by bringing participants to the city don DIY headgear, but participants of all ages center. The day before the race, participants wearing handmade or purchased holiday hats may pre-register and pick up their T-shirts. are welcome to march through town behind This typically brings an additional 250 people the Patriot Fife and Drum Duo. The parade downtown. Then on race day, almost 900 par­ ends at the sponsoring business location, ticipants and spectators fill the streets. m

July 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 9 ECONOMIC GROWTH Using a "carrot and stick" approach to address vacant buildings

A new ordinance aims to keep better "And we put a new section in talking track of vacant buildings in downtown Paris, about financial assistance, sort of a carrot and TX (est. pop. 25,005), while also incentiv­ stick approach," says Godwin. "These are all izing improvements and penalizing owners grant programs and low interest loans that that allow properties to remain empty and/ were already available, but we reference them or unkempt. The ordinance requires owners in the ordinance so they know that if they are of vacant buildings to provide their name, in a bind because the city is making them fix property address, floor plan, contact infor­ a property, the city will also help them fix it. mation, and other data for a new registry. That makes it a lot more palatable," he says. Proof of insurance will also be required And the $500 fees collected on vacant prop­ when the ordinance goes into effect this erties, "all stay in the downtown and will be month, as will payment of a $500 fee. The spent to make the downtown better." fee will go up by $50 for each year that the Prior to the new ordinance, the city had building sits empty and undeveloped. only basic fire and building code ordinance. Unanimous passage of the ordinance Now, every empty building, regardless of con­ by the city council in April represents a dition, will be assessed an annual fee just for marked turnaround from the unanimous being vacant, separate from the building being defeat the measure faced when first pro­ in disrepair - which could lead to fines for posed in 2017. code violations. "This ratchets up the costs for It has been a process to reach this suc­ people holding vacant buildings because it's cess, says John Godwin, city manager. "We cheaper to do so," Godwin says. "The notion started working on this in 2016 and brought is that it will motivate people to think they it before the city council in 2017, where it might as well fix the buildings, rent them, or was turned down in a seven to zero vote," he sell them." says. Concerns expressed were that the mea­ There are about 40 vacant buildings sure "might make it too difficult for people Downtown Development.com downtown at this time. Letters notifying to invest in the downtown, which made no owners of the new ordinance, insurance To read the Vacant sense; that this was a private property issue Building Registry requirement, and fee went out in May, giving and we couldn't go telling people how to ordinance, visit our recipients 90 days after the ordinance takes website and click on take care of their buildings; that there were effect to comply. The new requirements will Web Extras. already codes in place and we just needed to be enforced via the city's building inspector, enforce those; and, that people who owned fire marshal, and code enforcement officer. the buildings were very upset and com­ plained to the council members." "Ultimately, how we sold it was by con­ To turn things around, Godwin says, the vincing them that we were in it for the right issue was raised on a regular basis before reason - because it was a good thing for our the council to provide more education about downtown," Godwin says. While owners of the benefits. A retreat in December provided vacant properties may still complain to city more time to delve into the issue than at reg­ council members, he says, it is important to ular monthly meetings, as well. In addition, remember that, "our real customers are their some aspects of the ordinance considered neighbors. We want to reward the people who "nitpicky," such as penalizing the aesthetic have invested in downtown already, not those aspects of a building, were eliminated from who are doing nothing." the language of the ordinance, which now Contact: John Godwin, City of Paris, (903) 784- deals strictly with structural issues. 9202, [email protected]. m

10 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018 ISSN 0012-5822 Downtown Idea Exchange Idea Exchange { A publication of the Downtown Development Center . 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E TIGER becomes BUILD presence of strangers' cars parked Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 Since 2009, cities have used in front of their homes," they say. Phone: (973) 265-2300 • Fax: (973) 402-6056 The app, called Parking Kitty, Email: [email protected] TIGER funds (Transportation Website: www.DowntownDevelopment.com allows users to pay for parking with Investment Generating Economic Editor Recovery) for downtown projects a debit/credit card and to monitor Sheila Grant, ext. 110 ranging from pedestrian and and "feed the meter" remotely. [email protected] bicycle improvements to multi- Parking Kitty's feline logo, Technical Editor Laurence A. Alexander modal transportation hubs, and purring reminders, and a music video are all part of the app's Customer Service regional corridor improvements. Mary Pagliaroli, ext. 101 In April, the U.S. Department of success. Leah Treat, director of the [email protected] Transportation announced that it Portland Bureau of Transportation, Reprints and Permissions has renamed TIGER as the Better says that the take away for others Michael DeWitt, ext. 107 [email protected] Utilizing Investments to Leverage implementing parking apps, or other parking programs, is to Publisher Development (BUILD) program. Margaret DeWitt, ext. 106 The Transportation for make it fun and unique. ''You have [email protected] to be authentic to your own city," Downtown Idea Exchange® is published monthly by America blog notes that this is the Downtown Development Center. The Center more than simply a name change. she says. provides news, information and data for successful downtown revitalization through its newsletters, books, "The criteria for funding under reports, and website. BUILD and TIGER are essentially Study reveals 25 actions the same - with one big caveat. ') Alexander Communications Group to boost downtown • © 2018 Alexander Communications ( Under BUILD, the USDOT is put- Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this pub­ A detailed report from the lication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval ting a new emphasis on securing system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, and committing new, non-federal UK-based Institute of Place Man- electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, agement aims to identifyfactors without the prior written permission of Alexander revenue for projects requesting Communications Group. funding." which lead to sustainable high Subscription Order Form: To learn more about BUILD streets, or downtowns. Please start/renew my one-year grants visit www.transportation. Writing in The Conversation, subscription to Downtown Idea Exchange for $227.* gov/BUILDgrants. three of the study's authors point to the need for all stakeholders to NAME work and act together if a down- City uses soft touch town is to thrive. They also suggest TITLE to improve parking the following: A new parking app in Port- 1. Get the timing right. Ensure FIRM/ORGANIZATION land, OR, is gaining acceptance that downtown business hours with its practical parking tools reflect shoppers' needs. "Many ADDRESS

and cuddly branding. Parking shops and servicesare stuck in a CITY STATE ZIP Today notes that parking in the nine-to-five trading pattern, which state's largest city doesn't reflect the time people PHONE can be difficult. want to use them - especially "Cars often circle in places with many commut- EMAIL N15 �MAIL: 36 Midvale Road, Suite 2E looking for space ers," say the authors. Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 downtown and 2. Mix it up. Ensure a !JI FAX: (973) 402-6056 homeowners in healthy mix of retail and other 1f PHONE: (973) 265-2300 @ EMAIL: historic neighbor- servicesto promote multi- [email protected] * North America, S227. Elsewhere, S257 hoods decrythe destination visits. "If visitors (includes international delivery).

July 2018 • Downtown Idea Exchange • www.DowntownDevelopment.com 11 Idea Exchange

cannot satisfytheir needs, all in one place, then they are motivated to Spring construction season gets find a new location," the authors a little more colorful say. 3. Spruce up the street. Two blocks in downtown Iowa City, IA, are under constructionthis Appearance matters, say the spring and summer as the cityworks to upgrade underground utilities; authors, and while facade and increase the width of sidewalks; distribute parking on both sides of the streetscape improvements are street; enhance accessibility; create healthier planting areas; and mod­ important, they also advise focusing ernize lighting, seating, and other amenities. on basic cleanliness. To reassure shoppers that the area is open for business, the Iowa 4. Have a plan. "There needs City Downtown District is organizing interactive public artand hosting · · to be a cohesive vision and strategy special events. for the location," say the authors, While the district is coordinating these activities, the city is provid­ and it must be shared by as many ing financial support,as well as discounted parking and transit fares. people as possible. GeoffFruin, Iowa City's interim city manager, explains the strategy to The 5. Service with a smile. The Gazette. "The businesses know the best ways to market to the community authors point to the importance of so we are helping provide resources and physical space and lettingthem providing welcoming experiences go to work on their plan," says Fruin. throughout the downtown and note that a simple review of the The public art project encourages passersby to select a brightly comments on TripAdvisor, or other colored vinyl ribbon from a bucket and tie it to the chain link fence sur­ online customer review sites, can rounding a portionof the project area. help identifyproblem areas. Betsy Potter, operations director at the Iowa City Downtown District, To read the full report, visit tells The Daily Iowan that the project has already proven a success. ''The Downtown Development.com Downtown District has heard a and click on Web Extras. zr"'C 0 lot of positive feedback about 8 "0 how many people are engag­ c: ;:. A sober, safe alternative ing with the project and how �It) S!. · 'fun and simple' it is," she says, n to standard New Year's Eve 0 c: adding that, "many businesses ;:. celebrations ::, It) '< around the area like how com­ I First Night is a nonalcoholic, s0., munitymembers stop by and "o: family-oriented festival of the participate in the project." � performing arts that has steadily grown in popularity as an alterna­ tive for many downtowns to the traditional revelry associated with Through performances and exhibi­ Boston's First Night servesas New Year's Eve. tions of music, comedy, theater, a model for hundreds of similar Founded in downtown Boston dance, visual arts, puppetry,story ­ celebrations worldwide and has in 1976, First Night was started by telling, and illusions, First Night can grown to a two-day celebration a group of artists who performed serveas a showcase for the area's now called First Night First Day. in churches, communityhalls, and cultural and artistic communities as The 2018 event schedule is online outdoors in the Boston Common. well as the downtown itself. at firstnightboston.org. m

12 Downtown Idea Exchange• www.DowntownDevelopment.com • July 2018