1. 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

2. 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

3. Beacon Then and Now
Main Street’s East End

4.
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

5. 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, Photo: Ken Goebel

6. DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING TIMELINE
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
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
Publication of Beacon Gallery Guide and Beacon, Heart of the Hudson Valley Guide

8. 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
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

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

11. 2008 Art Along the Hudson – 7 Cities / 7 Celebrations
Addition of Catskill, Hudson, and Rhinebeck

12. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. FUTURE PROJECTS – Directional Signage

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

18. 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

19. 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