DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien Connecticut Main Street Center Resource Team May 22 – 25, 2006 Darien Revitalization Inc. 30 Old Kings Highway South Darien, CT 06820 203-655-7557 [email protected] Made possible by: Connecticut Main Street Center PO Box 261595 Hartford, CT 06126 860-280-2337 www.ctmainstreet.org May 2006 2 DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien May 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents....................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose...................................................................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 4 Next Steps ................................................................................................................................. 4 Darien Revitalization Inc. Mission, Vision and Goals .................................................................. 5 List of Participants...................................................................................................................... 6 Overview.................................................................................................................................... 8 Design...................................................................................................................................... 11 Economic Restructuring ........................................................................................................... 29 Promotion................................................................................................................................. 34 Organization............................................................................................................................. 42 Appendix A: Proposed DRI Workplan Summary....................................................................... 49 Appendix B: CMSC Analysis Map ............................................................................................ 50 Appendix C: Walkability Analysis.............................................................................................. 51 Appendix D: CMSC Sketch Plan .............................................................................................. 52 Appendix E: Design and Architectural Guidelines..................................................................... 53 Appendix F: The Branding of Downtown Boulder ..................................................................... 55 Appendix G: Event Matrices..................................................................................................... 60 Appendix H: Event Evaluation Form......................................................................................... 61 Appendix I: Parking Promotion Samples .................................................................................. 62 Appendix J: The Board Governance Committee....................................................................... 65 Appendix K: Main Street Partners ............................................................................................ 66 Appendix L: CMSC and the Main Street Approach................................................................... 67 Appendix M: Darien Resource Team Profiles........................................................................... 71 May 2006 DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien 3 PURPOSE The Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC), as one of its ongoing support services to Darien Revitalization, Inc. (DRI), sponsored a Resource Team for Downtown Darien in May 2006. The purpose of the Resource Team Visit was to: • Allow the community to hear outside perspectives on local issues • Make recommendations for DRI based on the opportunities that exist and the community’s capacity to respond • Help develop strategies to improve Downtown Darien and DRI An effective and efficient organization, with a well thought out plan of work, will move a commercial district closer to the vision defined by the residents and stakeholders. Skilled professionals with experience working in complex commercial environments staffed the Connecticut Main Street Resource Team (see team profiles in appendix). The Resource Team toured the district, met with stakeholders and interested parties, and interviewed individuals from local businesses, institutions, government and DRI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The team’s visit, May 22-25, 2006, was coordinated by the staff and volunteers of Darien Revitalization Inc. and the Town of Darien. Special thanks are due to Debra Parnon, Tom Geary and Evonne Klein. NEXT STEPS The Resource Team recommends the following steps be taken by Darien Revitalization Inc.: 1. Create an ad hoc committee that includes the executive director, committee chairs and board leadership to review this report and begin to prioritize the recommendations and start incorporating them into the DRI work plan. This committee is encouraged to meet with CMSC staff to discuss any questions as well as resources available to support the implementation of these recommendations. 2. Dedicate a significant portion of a board meeting to the review and discussion of this report. Each board member should be given a copy of the full report which the board should formally adopt as a guiding tool for future planning. 3. Offer all the people who participated in the Resource Team Visit (see List of Participants) the opportunity to review this report. 4. The ad hoc committee can also develop a strategy to share this report with potential partners, municipal representatives and the media. 5. Insure that appropriate DRI staff, volunteers, and partners attend any upcoming CMSC workshops. 4 DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien May 2006 DARIEN REVITALIZATION INC. MISSION, VISION AND GOALS MISSION STATEMENT “Darien Revitalization, Inc., a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was established to guide the revitalization of Downtown Darien by use of the Main Street four-point management approach. Its mission is to maintain and enhance the unique charm, character and historic significance of Downtown Darien while ensuring a variety of retail, dining and housing choices, as well as social and cultural activities, for residents and visitors of all ages.” VISION STATEMENT “Downtown Darien is an inviting, vibrant commercial and residential center where people of all ages live, work, shop and play. Conveniently accessible by rail, bus, car, bike and foot, Downtown Darien retains its historic New England charm and beauty. Our unique mix of upscale retailers, restaurants and housing, and our social and cultural events offer resident and visitors a variety of enticing experiences day and night.” GOALS 1. To foster and build an environment that is attractive and pedestrian-friendly. 2. To help existing businesses better serve their current customers and identify opportunities to expand, as well as to identify an appropriate mix of new and compatible uses. 3. To promote Downtown Darien as a place to live, work, shop, dine and gather. 4. To brand Darien Revitalization Inc. (Darien Downtown Partnership) as the organizational resource for all issues related to downtown. May 2006 DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien 5 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS Total Participants: 68 Darien Revitalization Inc. Debra Parnon, Executive Director Tom Geary, President, Board of Directors Jeff Williams, Vice President, Board of Directors; Co-Chair Economic Restructuring Committee George McKnight, Secretary, Board of Directors; Promotions Committee David Kenny, Treasurer, Board of Directors Cyndy Ashburne, Board of Directors; Promotions Committee Louise Berry, Board of Directors Dan Dolcetti, Board of Directors R. David Genovese, Board of Directors; Co-Chair, Economic Restructuring Committee Wilder Gleason, Board of Directors Judy Groppa, Board of Directors, Design Committee Debi Hibben, Board of Directors, Promotions Committee Alex Lopatynsky, Board of Directors, Chair, Design Carol Wilder-Tamme, Board of Directors; Co-Chair, Promotions Karen Brewer, Design Committee Robert Cardello, Design Committee Marian Castell, Design Committee Bill Bogardus, Economic Restructuring Committee Brian Lange, Economic Restructuring Committee Blair Martin, Economic Restructuring Committee Town Staff & Elected Officials Evonne Klein, First Selectwoman Bob Harrel, Former First Selectman Linda Santarella, Board of Selectmen Jeremy Ginsberg, Director of Planning & Zoning Peter Hovell, Chairman, Board of Finance Joseph Spain, Planning & Zoning Commission Ursula Foreman, Planning & Zoning Commission Callie Sullivan, Representative Town Meeting Bob Buch, Fire Marshal Gary Pavia, Police Dept. Duane Lovello, Chief of Police Bob Steeger, Director of Dept. of Public Works Jo Tatum, Housing Authority Lori Romick, Health Dept. Regional Organizations and Utilities John Atkin, RPA Marge Kelly, CL&P Sue Prosi, SWRPA 6 DOWNTOWN DARIEN An Action Plan for the Revitalization of Downtown Darien May 2006 Civic Organizations Jennifer Cippoletti, Rotary Club Peter Deutsch, Lions Club Don Fiftal, Superintendent, Darien Public Schools Mary Forman Flynn, Director of Darien Community Association Bill Harrington, Senior Men’s Association, Promotions