DDRA FY2014 STRATEGIC PLAN

OVERVIEW The strategic planning session was held on June 13 th and facilitated by Wiregrass Foundation Director, Dr. Barbara Alford. The Years goals are broken into 2 categories: 1) Project-Oriented Goals *Dealing with specific projects, buildings, lots 2) General Strategy *Dealing with organization structure & processes

PRIORITY PROJECTS Gateway Improvements: Acquire properties Develop partnerships Extend banner program to clearly define Downtown Continue push for beautification Work to improve public perception in regards to safety Saints Apartments: Removal of condemned and unsafe buildings Create green space and parking

PRIORITY PROJECTS CONT... Downtown Living Seek a boutique hotel for Downtown Seek loft/apartment development for Downtown Find project with these elements for Wadlington site Seek ways to address whole blocks with mix-use elements Childrens Museum Seek museum centered on art, science, technology, etc Seek corporate and community partners Identify spaces/buildings for site Identify costs structures for feasibility

PRIORITY PROJECTS CONT... S. Oates Improvements Work to rectify blight of S. Oates Work to strategically acquire and repurpose buildings Advocate stronger code enforcement Find ways to better identify the entries of Downtown via Oates Booker Building Decide direction of building

GENERAL STRATEGY GOALS Communication & Marketing Work to better educate the public on the DDRA Work to get more buy-in from community by relaying how downtown efforts improve Quality of Life Help the public visualize the change through before/after marketing campaigns Create stakeholder group with Downtown Group, City, WMA, merchants, etc) Reach out to all groups to seek more diversity in projects Examine Guidelines Maintain consistent approach to all potential partners Look at formalizing procedures through Board action

GENERAL STRATEGY GOALS CONT... Proactive vs. Responsive Identify catalyst projects Obtain more stakeholder input Actively seek partners & vendors Pursue identified projects Explore standard incentive packages Funding Develop plan for long-term stability Identify and seek grants Explore other funding mechanisms

GENERAL STRATEGY GOALS Downtown Master Plan Engage City leaders to hold a joint-planning session Review & Update 2007 master plan with City Improve Committee Structure Clearly define roles of the DDRA Committees Determine optimal communication systems between committees Formalize a flow chart for how a Project flows through the DDRA