MARKETING YOUR RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY Cultural Tourism’s Role in the Development of a Vibrant Main Street and The Creation of a Main Street-Riverfront Connection

Beacon: A Case Study BEACON’S RECENT HISTORY – 1983-2003 1983 Cold Spring Galleries/Auction House opens in Beacon, NY 1989 Beacon’s Renaissance begins with the restoration of Beacon’s West End and creation of an Antiques District 1999 International Paper Company donates former Nabisco factory to Dia Art Foundation 2002 Beacon Arts Community Association founded in anticipation of Dia:Beacon’s opening Launch of Beacon’s Second Saturday monthly art celebration 2003 Opening of Dia:Beacon Launch of Beacon Institute for Rivers & Estuaries

Beacon Then and Now Main Street’s East End

2005-2007 2005 City of Beacon convenes Beacon Comprehensive Plan Committee to build on success of initial development efforts Beacon Business Association revived Launch of Newburgh-Beacon Ferry to Beacon Train Station 2007 City Council approves Comprehensive Plan City receives Preserve America Foundation grant for cultural tourism projects related to 2009 Quadricentennial City of Beacon convenes Greater Beacon 2009 Committee to develop Quadricentennial events and tourism projects

2008 Beacon’s East End and West End restored Main Street Corridor Committee formed to make recommendations for development of central “transition” zone George Trakas’ Beacon Point public sculpture is completed and Beacon Landing opened to the public by Scenic Hudson Planning continues for riverfront development of Scenic Hudson/Long Dock Beacon and Transit-Oriented Development for Beacon Train Station George Trakas Beacon Point, 2007. Photo: Ken Goebel

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TIMELINE 1989-1999 Initiation of Antiques District Renovation of East End of Main Street results in initial marketing efforts by antique stores at East End of Main Street 1998 Historic Beacon Brochure, published by Beacon Business Association 2002 Opening of art galleries on Fifteen art galleries and non-profit Main Street and launch of art organizations come together to Beacon Arts Community promote Beacon’s cultural offerings Association in advance of Dia:Beacon opening 2002 Publication of Beacon Gallery Guide and Beacon, Heart of the Hudson Valley Guide

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TIMELINE (Continued) 2003 Opening of Dia:Beacon Beacon’s major cultural anchor opens, bringing national and international publicity and increased renovation of Main Street Launch of Train-to-Main Trolley City/County support hourly shuttle bus between Train Station and Main Street 2003 Art Along the Hudson – 4 Cities / 4 Saturdays Celebrating Kingston, Beacon, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh Continued restoration of Beacon’s Four Hudson River cities come Main Street and redevelopment together to create Art Along the of nearby communities spur Hudson – 4 Cities / 4 Saturdays regional marketing efforts

DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TIMELINE (Continued) 2005 Ferry docks are completed in Newburgh-Beacon Ferry Beacon and Newburgh launched 2007 - 2008 Beacon and Newburgh begin planning Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Newburgh Beacon Bay Quadricentennial marketing begins in Newburgh

2008 Art Along the Hudson – 7 Cities / 7 Celebrations Addition of Catskill, Hudson, and Rhinebeck

BEACON’S MARKETING FOCUS City as Destination – Historic Beacon Brochure and Beacon Guide Selected Areas of Town – Main Street, Riverfront Annual City-Wide Celebrations – Spirit of Beacon Day Parade & Seasonal Festivals Holidays – Halloween, Winter Holidays Special Interests – Recreation, Arts & Culture, Historic Sites, Pets (Beacon Barks), Hats (Beacon Hat Parade) City as Regional Destination – Art Along the Hudson Monthly Marketing Events – Beacon Second Saturday

IDENTIFICATION OF TOURISM NEEDS MARKETING HAS LED TO GROWTH OF TOURISM AND IDENTIFICATION OF TOURISM NEEDS Current Tourism and Economic Development Needs Welcome/Information centers and/or kiosks at the Beacon Train Station and along Main Street Improved directional signage at Beacon Train Station, on Main Street and major roadways Regular, frequent shuttle bus service to bring visitors from the Beacon Train Station to Main Street Public restrooms at Beacon Train Station and Main Street Improved parking facilities at Beacon Train Station and Main Street Alternative means of transportation, including bicycles and zipcars A “destination” information map to be distributed at key locations outside the area, including Grand Central Station, NYS Thruway rest areas, and other major tourist information centers

Current Tourism and Economic Development Needs (Continued) A “wayfinding” physical path from riverfront to Main Street to draw pedestrians from the riverfront to Main Street Increased residential development and small parks on Main Street and in the area between the riverfront and Main Street to improve the walking experience Sufficient commercial development to support the needs of visitors to the riverfront while retaining open space and public access In addition to the above needs requiring financial support: Implementation of recommended zoning changes and other legislation required to support the above economic development needs

FUTURE PROJECTS – Directional Signage

SUGGESTED LAND USE CHANGES TO CONNECT MAIN STREET TO RIVERFRONT from Beacon Comprehensive Plan

COMPARED WITH OTHER HUDSON RIVER CITIES SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR BEACON’S MARKETING EFFORTS COMPARED WITH OTHER HUDSON RIVER CITIES Beacon Marketing efforts are led and funded by Beacon Arts Community Association, Beacon Business Association and local cultural organizations, with some support from the City of Beacon Newburgh Marketing efforts are led and funded by the City of Newburgh, with support from local cultural organizations Peekskill Marketing efforts are led and funded by the Peekskill City Government, Peekskill Business Improvement District (which launched First Fridays), Peekskill Arts Council and local cultural organizations

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Marketing has been undertaken through the collaborative efforts of non-profit organizations and small businesses, with support from government Marketing has been ongoing for more than a decade Marketing efforts have expanded over time to include neighboring communities Marketing efforts, whether local or regional, have been focused on a single theme (antiques, Main Street, arts & culture) Marketing efforts and increased tourism have led to identification of infrastructure improvements needed to support additional tourism