Downtown Lawrence Inc. Four-Year Downtown Beautification Plan Downtown Lawrence Inc. Four-Year Downtown Beautification Plan

Downtown Lawrence Inc. The Mission of Downtown Lawrence, “…to preserve, protect, promote Downtown Lawrence as the retail, service and professional, governmental, entertainment, and social center of our community.” The Mission of Downtown Lawrence, “…to preserve, protect, promote Downtown Lawrence as the retail, service and professional, governmental, entertainment, and social center of our community.”

INTRODUCTION Downtown Lawrence is: Original Town Site of Lawrence Original Town Site of Lawrence Historic District Historic District Social Center Social Center Cultural Center Cultural Center Commercial Center Commercial Center Residential Community Residential Community Government Center Government Center

Vital and plays an important role in attracting people to our community Vital and plays an important role in attracting people to our community An important tool in the growth and quality of life in Lawrence An important tool in the growth and quality of life in Lawrence Diverse - a sophisticated mix Diverse - a sophisticated mix A Destination Place A Destination Place What sets Lawrence apart from other cities in the region What sets Lawrence apart from other cities in the region

Lawrence, Kansas Rankings 2005: One of Star Quality of Life Metros by Expansion Management Magazine (based off of low crime rate, affordable housing, quality public schools, reasonable standard of living, traffic and commuting) 2005: One of Star Quality of Life Metros by Expansion Management Magazine (based off of low crime rate, affordable housing, quality public schools, reasonable standard of living, traffic and commuting) 2004: 6th Best Smaller Metro Area to Launch a Business or a Career (up from 7th in 2002;ranked consistently in the top 20 by Forbes Magazine 2004: 6th Best Smaller Metro Area to Launch a Business or a Career (up from 7th in 2002;ranked consistently in the top 20 by Forbes Magazine 2004: Top 100 Places to Live by Relocate-America.com 2004: Top 100 Places to Live by Relocate-America.com 2003: 14th for strong economy cities in smaller metros by Milkin Institute 2003: 14th for strong economy cities in smaller metros by Milkin Institute 2003: 10th for One of the 50 Best Places to Live (with populations of 50,000 to 100,000) by Men’s Journal Magazine 2003: 10th for One of the 50 Best Places to Live (with populations of 50,000 to 100,000) by Men’s Journal Magazine 2002: #2 in job growth among top metros in the nation by New York Times 2002: #2 in job growth among top metros in the nation by New York Times

Downtown Beautification Plan Goals Downtown Beautification Plan Goals Design and landscape flower bed planters Design and landscape flower bed planters Increase number and variety of annuals planted Increase number and variety of annuals planted Introduce perennial plants to bed planters Introduce perennial plants to bed planters Raise height of soil to increase visibility of plants Raise height of soil to increase visibility of plants Remove ground cover from street tree planters Remove ground cover from street tree planters Create profusion of bloom in all planters, especially at intersections Create profusion of bloom in all planters, especially at intersections Install cigarette butt receptacles Install cigarette butt receptacles Eliminate newspaper rack clutter Eliminate newspaper rack clutter Clean sidewalks Clean sidewalks Begin discussion of planters on side streets and New Hampshire and Vermont Streets Begin discussion of planters on side streets and New Hampshire and Vermont Streets

Flower Planter Landscape Project 2005/2006 Landscape Downtown planters with complimentary trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and landscape material Landscape Downtown planters with complimentary trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and landscape material Introduce a variety of landscapes within each block Introduce a variety of landscapes within each block Paint planters to add visual appeal Paint planters to add visual appeal Tag and identify selected plant material Tag and identify selected plant material

Flower Planter Landscape Project Goals Enhance beautification of the Downtown Lawrence Historic District Enhance beautification of the Downtown Lawrence Historic District Present Downtown Lawrence as a “Park in the Heart of the City” Present Downtown Lawrence as a “Park in the Heart of the City” Provide the City with a showcase that is visibly beautiful year-round Provide the City with a showcase that is visibly beautiful year-round Provide visitors and residents with a self-guided walking garden tour of the Downtown flower planters Provide visitors and residents with a self-guided walking garden tour of the Downtown flower planters

Flower Planter Landscape Project Downtown Lawrence Garden Tour: A Self-Guided Walk Design and distribute a Downtown Lawrence Garden Tour (self-guided) with planter locations and plant material identification Design and distribute a Downtown Lawrence Garden Tour (self-guided) with planter locations and plant material identification Include within brochure historic facts and availability of Downtown Lawrence Historic Walking Tour (to be provided by Watkin’s Community Museum) Include within brochure historic facts and availability of Downtown Lawrence Historic Walking Tour (to be provided by Watkin’s Community Museum)

Flower Planter Landscape Project Marketing Downtown Garden Tour brochure distribution at Visitor’s Center, Downtown businesses, hotels Downtown Garden Tour brochure distribution at Visitor’s Center, Downtown businesses, hotels Ad placement in the Lawrence Visitor’s Guide (for 2006/2007) Ad placement in the Lawrence Visitor’s Guide (for 2006/2007) DLI television commercials and print media DLI television commercials and print media Announcement flyers to garden centers, nurseries and garden clubs Announcement flyers to garden centers, nurseries and garden clubs

Downtown Beautification Plan Benefits Added year-round visual attractiveness Added year-round visual attractiveness Promotes the Downtown Lawrence Historic District through walking garden tour Promotes the Downtown Lawrence Historic District through walking garden tour Promotes the Downtown Lawrence Historic District through walking historic tour Promotes the Downtown Lawrence Historic District through walking historic tour Promotes Downtown to residents of Lawrence and Douglas County Promotes Downtown to residents of Lawrence and Douglas County Sets stage for community participation is special events in Downtown Sets stage for community participation is special events in Downtown Promotes public safety by creating a safe ambience Promotes public safety by creating a safe ambience Promotes a positive image of Lawrence Promotes a positive image of Lawrence

Increases draw to Lawrence as a destination place Increases draw to Lawrence as a destination place Increases the number of visitors to Lawrence Increases the number of visitors to Lawrence Downtown Garden Tour Downtown Garden Tour Downtown Historic Tour Downtown Historic Tour Special Events Downtown Special Events Downtown Increases economic development (see Lawrence, Kansas Rankings) Increases economic development (see Lawrence, Kansas Rankings) Adds additional revenue for the City with an increase in the number of people using all of the Downtown services Adds additional revenue for the City with an increase in the number of people using all of the Downtown services