HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Discover Downtown Springfield (DDS) Program Update AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 12/1/2014
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Courtney Griesel/CMO Staff Phone No: 541-736-7132
Estimated Time: 20 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Community and Economic Development
and Revitalization ITEM TITLE: DISCOVER DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD (DDS) PROGRAM UPDATE
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Review, comment, and provide feedback on the activities and progress of the
Discover Downtown Springfield Program
ISSUE STATEMENT: Staff from the Discover Downtown Springfield (DDS) Program will present an update to Council capturing the progress of the second FY15 quarter (October-
December).
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1 – Discover Downtown Quarter 2 Report (partial report)
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Provided here are brief highlights of several key accomplishments this past quarter,
including follow-up on comments received from Councilors during the September update.
Quarter 2 Discover Downtown Highlights – The program continues to host Business-2-Business Monthly Roundtables resulting
in co-advertising and event idea generation. During the November Roundtable,
businesses had the opportunity to express their concerns regarding the negative construction impacts of the downtown lighting installation project. This project was anticipated to occur during the primary holiday shopping window. Businesses
used the Roundtable forum as a tool to come to consensus in requesting the City postpone the construction project until immediately following the holidays.
Construction will now begin the week following Christmas. Businesses still
expressed a desire for assistance with lighting their storefronts in the interim.
In November, the Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) purchased
100 boxes of high-efficiency LED Christmas lights to be distributed to Downtown businesses wishing to brighten their storefront windows. The DDS program will
work with businesses to distribute lights and ensure they are utilized in such a way as to create bright and festive downtown storefronts.
In the second quarter several new businesses opened their doors in Downtown, including Mezza Luna Pizzeria and the Claim 52 Abbey. DDS continues to host
‘Familiarity Tours’ for local hospitality businesses. The November tour was a huge
success with over 30 attendees touring the downtown amenities available to visitors.
In October downtown saw its first food trucks, Mondo Forcella and Lani Moku Grill. Interest in the program continues to grow, creating excitement for more
trucks once next year’s season gets closer.
This is a brief summary of the many exciting investments and happenings in
Downtown. Jim McHugh, DDS Manager, will present a more comprehensive
summary to Council during this work session.
Quarterly Report for Contract #1232
Discover Downtown Springfield – Main Street
Page | 1 ATTACHMENT 1
Period covered in this report: 2nd Quarter: October 1st – December 31st, 2014
Progress Report Narrative:
Discover Downtown Springfield (DDS) primary activities this quarter is to continue to formalize the
committees, recruit new volunteers and improve communication and coordination amongst the
downtown businesses to openly discuss and reach consensus.
The efforts of the Business-2-Business Monthly Roundtables have focused on specific issues and
featured events like the Travel Lane County-Hotel Fam Tour, the Main Street Lighting Project and
holiday decorations.
The Design Committee has been engaged in the preliminary Downtown Design Guidelines and strategies
to enhance the upkeep and maintenance of properties throughout the downtown. Identified projects
include developing Business-Property Owner Tool Kits and explore the potential of creating a private-
public partnership to incorporate more public along the Main Street Corridor. The committee is also
working with existing and new tenants to utilize the Façade Improvement Program and its funding
capabilities. DDS has received two applications this quarter: One application has been denied since the
project work was completed prior to the application being reviewed. The second application is under
review to replace a broken window at 329 Main Street at the former Cycle Logical location. Hearts for
Hospice, Claim 52 and Jim Tronson Gallery are currently working on their applications.
The Organization Committee is seeking a new Chairperson to fulfill Bethe Hayes, US Bank vacancy as she
has accepted a new position with her employer. Contacts and invites have been extended to potential
candidates. In early December, Sheri Staurt, Oregon Main Street Coordinator will be visiting Springfield
to meet with Claire Sequin and Emily Reiman who will be named Acting Executive Director of NEDCO to
discuss the Discover Downtown Springfield and its efforts. Ms. Stuart will provide Discover Downtown
Springfield technical assistance and support on behalf of the Oregon Main Street program as needed.
The Economic Restructuring Committee (ERC) continually strives to be a viable business resource to
address business retention, expansion and recruitment. In October, the ERC committee hosted Ward
Beck, Listing Agent for Jim’ Landing property to discuss the status and offer assistance if needed with
prospective buyers. The committee is working with L’ Etoffe Fabrics, Jim Tronson Gallery & Studio and a
cross fit training business.
Service Provision:
Monthly Art Walk
The Art Walks continue to be well attended with increased business participation. The goal to reach
20+ venues was reached in October and will happen again in December with the new businesses and
holiday celebrations. DDS continues to target the Gateway Hotels and the Travel Lane Visitor Center by
providing promotional materials on upcoming events and attractions.
Quarterly Report for Contract #1232
Discover Downtown Springfield – Main Street
Page | 2 ATTACHMENT 1
Art Walk Summary October November December
Total venues 20 20
With artist reception 9 8
With live music 5 4
Weather Scattered Showers Scattered Showers
Special Feature/event
On Wednesday, November 19th DDS and the Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted the Travel Lane
County monthly tourism meeting and coordinated a familiarization tour of Downtown Springfield.
Participating businesses included Claim 52, SPROUT!, Emerald Art Center, Springfield Museum, Wildish
Theater, Academy of Arts & Academics, Haven, The Blue Buffalo Mercantile, Washburne Café and Plank
Town. The guided tour included thirty-two participants from Travel Lane County, Lane Community
College and hotel managers from both Eugene and Springfield. The “Fam Tour” was well received and
we have been invited to guide a similar tour for front-line hotel staff after the New Year.
Specialty workshops, technical assistance, and trainings for Downtown business owners
Future projects are to cross market the “Shop Small Saturday” campaign for Saturday, November 29th
and throughout the holiday season. Distribute the complimentary Christmas Lights to Downtown
businesses as both holiday decorations and added Main Street lighting during the installation of the new
Street Lamps beginning in January. DDS is also coordinating a window decorating contest in association
with the Christmas Parade and the December Art Walk.
In conjunction with the Christmas Parade on December 6th, SPROUT! will host the Symphony Guild
Kitchen Tour and will offer a Pancake Breakfast, Instrument Petting Zoo and Holiday Craft Market
throughout the day.
Class Date Attendees Main Street
Attendees
Class Topic
Roundtable 10/1/14 12 12 Fam Tour
Roundtable 11/5/14 9 6 Lighting Project
Roundtable 12/3/14 Holiday Promotions
Downtown Food Cart Program
DDS officially assumed management of the Downtown Food Cart program effective the end of
September. All guidelines and applications were revised to launch the Pilot Program for the Food Carts
to begin operation as quickly as possible. To date the office has received sixteen inquiries ranging from
established vendors to potential vendors exploring it as a business opportunity. Sixteen Guideline and
Application packets have been distributed and two permits have been issued to date. Lani Moku Grill
Quarterly Report for Contract #1232
Discover Downtown Springfield – Main Street
Page | 3 ATTACHMENT 1
has been consistently operating since mid-October and November and Mondo Frocella on a few
occasions. DDS has actively contacted potential vendors to answer questions and provide the necessary
information. Most recently, three Food carts have ceased their operations in Eugene since it was no
longer feasible, other vendors only operate seasonally when the weather is more conducive and
profitable. Will continue to do our outreach to increase participation in the program.
Management of social media and other promotional activities
• Regular Facebook postings
• DDS post Facebook stories regularly on the Discover Downtown Springfield and NEDCO
Facebook pages, which typically reach a relatively wide audience.
• DDS Facebook has seen a 16.6% increase in the number of people who “Like” the Facebook
page for the first two months this quarter. Typically DDS Facebook averages a 10% increase
quarterly.
• DDS will continue to refine, improve, build and our social media approach as an effective
communication and downtown promotion tool.
• DDS has added the National Main Street link to our Facebook page which provides case
studies, Main Street trends and independent business insights. These business information
links are also shared with the Business-2-Business Roundtable participants.
• The redesigned of the Discover Downtown Springfield website has launched with on-going
updates and improvements weekly.
• DDS continues to expand its photo library of downtown businesses events, participants and
products to heighten public awareness. Special thanks to Rick Dunraven for his photo
contributions.
Storefront Resource Center
DDS and NEDCO maintain an extensive library of training tools and business assistance in both print and
online resources, and continue to build this collection. The Main Street Resource Center collaborates
with NEDCO’s HATCH Business Incubator program on this and other efforts to enhance the availability of
quality resources for our businesses.
Community assessments to identify downtown assets; including people, buildings, heritage, and
institutions
DDS continues to update our business directory and contact information to improve listings on the
website and the maintenance of the DIVA program. DDS is exploring funding options to design, print
and produce a quality business directory for Downtown Springfield businesses to distribute.
Monitoring of the economic performance of the district
Currently, within this quarter the following new businesses have opened in Downtown Springfield: IEQ
Technologies (6-8 jobs), Claim 52 at The Abbey (3 jobs), Metro PCS (4 jobs) and Mezza Luna Pizzeria (10
jobs) have opened for business. In December L’Etoffe Fabrics (1 job) and the Jim Tronson Gallery (1-2
jobs) will open their businesses.
Quarterly Report for Contract #1232
Discover Downtown Springfield – Main Street
Page | 4 ATTACHMENT 1
Cycle Logical has closed due to personal reasons and the 100 Mile Bakery has graduated from the
HATCH Incubator program at SPROUT! and has relocated to the Paramount Shopping area.
Development of a building vacancy, business owner information, and property/lot database
Constantly updating the Downtown DIVA program and to utilize it as an effective information resource,
database and communication tool. The Economic Restructuring Committee is maintaining a vacancy list
to be reviewed and updated monthly. DDS has contacted all known available property owners and
leasing agents as to their status and provided information on the Façade Improvement Program for any
vacant property.
DDS continues to receive and share inquiries on potential new businesses ranging from food service,
retail, fitness, professional and non-profit services.
Resource development to support the work of the DDS/Main Street program
The Oregon Main Street hosted its Annual 2014 Conference in McMinnville, OR on October 1 – 3rd. The
Conference information program topics and discussions that were attended were:
• Preservation Doesn’t Cost, It Pays
• Growing Your Downtown Business District
• Nuts and Bolts of Retail
• Vacancy? Operation Increase Occupancy
• Making Streets Complete Streets
• Adventures in Culinary Tourism
• Creating a Successful Downtown Brand
In addition to DDS staff attending Linda Pauly, City of Springfield and David Dougherty of DLA, Inc. who
serve on the Design Committee were also in attendance. Potential Outcomes from the conference are
to create the Design Guidelines as a Business/Property Tool Kit, developing a private-public partnership
for public art and an affirmation to continue the strong advocacy for Downtown Springfield.
Quarterly Report for Contract #1232
Discover Downtown Springfield – Main Street
Page | 5 ATTACHMENT 1
Coordination of the Discover Downtown Springfield Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring, and
Organization Committees:
Committee Activity This
Quarter
Year to Date Annual Goal
Design 2 4 10
Economic
Restructuring
2 5 10
Organization/Steering 2 4 10
Promotion 3 6 12
Business-2-Business 3 6 12
Total 13 25 54
Four quarterly downtown business mixer events:
The Quarterly Mixer will be hosted by the Springfield Museum when there are not scheduling conflicts.
Claim 52 at the Abbey has agreed to host the next Mixer following the Museum Mixer after the New
Year.
Upcoming DDS Projects (Dec - March):
• Co-Host Downtown Springfield Hotel Front-Line Staff Tour
• Secure funding to design and produce a downtown business directory
• Business-2-Buisness Roundtable members actively organize the new Street Light Dedication
Events
• Develop, organize and market holiday activities in conjunction with decorations and Christmas
Parade
• Market, promote and administer the Downtown Food Cart Program and explore the capabilities
of organizing a Food Cart Rendezvous as a special event. Continue to work on recruiting Food
Cart vendors to team up with Claim 52 and the MarketPlace at SPROUT!
• Actively and formally recruit DDS Board Members, finalize By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation and
budget development
• Design Committee to expend the balance of the Façade Improvement Grant monies before the
New Year. Initiate and coordinate the discussion of creating private-public partnership for
public arts program
• Serve as the liaison to downtown businesses and property owners as Downtown Design
Guidelines are developed
• Increase business participation and public attendance at the Art Walks