Commercial Revitalization Planning Guide A Toolkit for Community Based Organizations Major support for the Center for Commercial Revitalization is provided by State Farm Commercial Revitalization Planning Guide A Toolkit for Community Based Organizations PRODUCED BY THE LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORPORATION CENTER FOR COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION Written by: Rick Jacobus and Maureen Hickey, Burlington Associates, Oakland, Calif. In collaboration with Center for Commercial Revitalization staff: Sheila J. Daniels, Director Susan Callanen, Program Officer Alnisha Howard, Assistant Program Officer Edited by: Kate McDermott Design by: Namaro Graphic Designs, Inc. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) LISC helps resident-led, community-based development organizations transform distressed communities and neighborhoods into healthy ones—good places to live, do business, work and raise families. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of affordable housing, commercial, industrial and community facilities, businesses and jobs. We help neighbors build communities. LISC’s Center for Commercial Revitalization The Center for Commercial Revitalization (or the “Center”) is one of LISC’s economic development strategic business units and acts as the national clearinghouse for information and resources to support local urban neighborhood business district revitalization efforts. It also manages LISC’s Commercial Corridor Revitalization Network, coordinates training and technical assistance for local LISC and community-based organization staff, identifies potential financial resources, and cultivates working relationships with other national, regional and local support and resource organizations. The mission of the Center for Commercial Revitalization is to support LISC’s network of local offices and community-based organi- zations in the creation and implementation of comprehensive commercial corridor revitalization strategies specifically targeting urban neighborhood markets. iv Table of Contents FORWARD ......................................................................................................................................................4 Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): A legacy of leadership in the revitalization of urban business districts................................................................................................................................4 Traditional Urban Business Districts: The centerpiece of healthy communities ....................................................5 Why Plan?........................................................................................................................................................5 The 8 Key Elements of Successful Revitalization Programs ................................................................................5 How to Use this Planning Guide........................................................................................................................6 Accessing the Tools Online................................................................................................................................6 1. URBAN COMMERCIAL REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS....................................................................................7 What is a Commercial Revitalization Program? ..................................................................................................7 Comprehensive Work Plans ..............................................................................................................................7 The Role of the Lead Agency ............................................................................................................................8 The Role of Committees....................................................................................................................................9 The Role of Staff ............................................................................................................................................10 2. PLANNING FOR REVITALIZATION ..............................................................................................................11 When Should Planning Happen? ......................................................................................................................11 Key Questions in the Planning Process ............................................................................................................12 Basic Steps of the Planning Process ................................................................................................................13 Ongoing Planning ..........................................................................................................................................14 Taking Action during the Planning Phase ........................................................................................................15 Examples of Actions to Keep Stakeholders Engaged ..........................................................................................15 Profile: Excelsior District Planning Process ......................................................................................................16 3. IDENTIFYING AND INVOLVING STAKEHOLDERS........................................................................................18 Identifying Stakeholders ..................................................................................................................................18 Common Stakeholders for Commercial Revitalization Planning ........................................................................18 Methods for Engaging Stakeholders ................................................................................................................19 Creating Partnerships with Other Organizations ..............................................................................................20 Creating a Strong Working Relationship with the Local Government ................................................................20 Tool 3-1: Stakeholder Mapping Exercise ........................................................................................................21 Tool 3-2: Stakeholder Outreach Form ............................................................................................................22 4. DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY-BASED VISION ............................................................................................23 What is a “Vision?” ........................................................................................................................................23 Developing a Vision........................................................................................................................................24 SWOT Analysis ..............................................................................................................................................24 Profile: Southeast Community SWOT Analysis ................................................................................................24 Revealing the Community Identity ..................................................................................................................25 Identifying a Niche for Your District ................................................................................................................25 Role of Culture in Your Neighborhood’s Identity ..............................................................................................26 Crafting a Written Vision Statement ................................................................................................................26 ts Alternative Vision Statement Exercise ..............................................................................................................27 en Refining the Vision ........................................................................................................................................27 t on Profile: Re$tore Buckeye Initiative ..................................................................................................................28 Tool 4-1: SWOT Exercise ..............................................................................................................................30 Tool 4-2: Community Identity Exercise..........................................................................................................31 able of C Tool 4-3: Alternative Vision Statements Exercise ..........................................................................................32 T 1 5. COMPILING BUILDING AND BUSINESS INVENTORIES ................................................................................33 Building and Business Inventory ....................................................................................................................33 Gathering Business and Building Inventory Data ..............................................................................................34 Creating a Database ........................................................................................................................................34 Profile: FOCUS Indianapolis Online Building Database......................................................................................35 Tool 5-1: Building and Business Inventory Walking Survey Tool..................................................................36