CREATING AND KEEPING A COMMITTED TEAM FOR DOWNTOWN

If you don’t have a group committed to making downtown better; get one.    Keep the core goals of the group fun and end each meeting with a list of things to be accomplished before the next meeting.  After all, if a downtown isn’t fun; why would you want to visit it?   

Promotion is serious business, but that doesn’t mean the committee should be overly serious; it needs to be clever, unique and willing to take risk.     PLEASE REMEMBER it is absolutely vital to keep your meetings on time, on topic and leaving with a specific set of goals to accomplish before you meet again.     

You are trying to create this:

Not This:

Your group needs every point of view possible to come up with the best ideas for your downtown:

  People from every age group (young, middle age, old)

  Artists (or people who love the arts)

  Students  

  Local Civic Groups (Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Rotary, Elks, VFW, etc.)

  Churches

  Schools

  People who understand the internet and what possibilities exist for promoting online

 

Don't just ask the usual suspects to participate; bring in residents who have not been involved             previously.   And finally (again), if you aren't sure how to run a productive meeting, get on the internet and read up on the topic.  If your meetings are long and draining people of their enthusiasm, your plans are doomed before they get started.      

VACANT DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AREA LOT (NEVER LET IT GO TO WASTE)
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

Besides larger communities like Madison, Wisconsin, smaller communities have also made use of vacant lots located in their downtown business district.   Here are four images from downtown Spring Valley, Illinois.   In the midst of their downtown are several vacant lots which were converted into a multi-purpose public space.  With a bit of public art and some picnic tables, this spot is ready to be used by the community for a wide variety of purposes.

VACANT DOWNTOWN BUSINESS AREA LOT (NEVER LET IT GO TO WASTE)
Downtowns' with vacant lots have an opportunity to make themselves unique.  Empty lots offer an opportunity for pop up retail, a community garden, a location for performing or visual arts, special events or a place to sit and enjoy the day.  Here are recent images of an urban park located in downtown Madison, Wisconsin in the midst of a thriving business district.

If someone is interested in your downtown, do you have the relevant information readily available? How can a potential business select your downtown if you don't have all the information that is needed  to make an informed decision?     Yes, THEY could do all the research, but isn't it in YOUR COMMUNITY'S best interest to have this information collected and ready to give out to anyone who asks?   Besides, it is in your community's best interest to know your assets and liabilties.

Be business friendly, have the information ready for anyone who asks.  Better yet, place a sign in every vacant downtown building store front window saying WHERE they can get the information.  If your community is perceived as being prepared and business friendly, you stand a better chance in attracting that business.  Give them every reason to pick YOUR town, over any community within the region.