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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-08 20-187 Order 06/08/202020-187 06/08/2020 20-187 Community & Economic Development Order N/A Title, Order Adopting Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District PUBLIC HEARING Prior to voting on this Order, the Council is required to hold a Public Hearing on the Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District. The purpose of this Order is for the City Council to consider the Program to be implemented for the Bangor Center Development District. The Program has been prepared by the Bangor Center Management Corporation/ Downtown Bangor Partnership. Networking & Outreach $1,000 Beautification $9,000 Contract Services $42,000 General Administration $5,500 Public Safety Officer $10,000 Marketing $19,000 Events $3,000 TOTAL $89,500 Net Income $80 Attachment: Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan New Business 06/08/202020-187 CITY OF BANGOR ORDER 06/08/2020 20-187 Nichols Adopting Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District WHEREAS, by action of the City Council, a certain area in the downtown has been designated as a Municipal Development District, known as the Bangor Center Development District, in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 5223(1); and WHEREAS, 30-A M.R.S.A. § 5224(1) requires that the governing body of a Municipality adopt a development program for each development district; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the previously established Development District continues to exist and the District will contribute to the economic growth and well-being of the Municipality, to the betterment of the health, welfare, and safety of the City of Bangor; and WHEREAS, the Bangor Center Management Corporation/Downtown Bangor Partnership has recommended a proposed development program to be adopted by the City Council: Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that, in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 5223 and 5224, there is hereby adopted the “Bangor Center Development District, Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan, Fiscal Year 2021”, a copy of which is attached hereto as the development program for the Bangor Center Development District. 20-187 JUNE 8, 2020 Bangor Center Development District Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan Fiscal Year 2021 Downtown Bangor Partnership FY2020 Summary and FY2021 Work Plan The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive yet succinct look at the programs and projects the Downtown Bangor Partnership (DBP) undertook in FY2020 and to outline the plans and proposed budget for FY2021 so that the City Council may consider the DBP's contributions and essential functions in the Downtown District and look favorably on continuing its support. We commend the City Council's continuing initiatives to promote Downtown's economic vitality and cultural excellence, and we hope you agree that the Downtown Bangor Partnership has made a positive contribution to Downtown development over the past year. We are pleased to be involved with the transformation of Downtown Bangor to a more vibrant and engaged economic center and we are focused on maintaining this momentum. Executive Summar The fiscal year 2019-2020 was marked by a continued emphasis on Downtown Bangor's critical role in the future of the city at large. As a center for arts, culture, and commerce, as well as an exponentially growing residential hub, Downtown is both a microcosm and bellwether of Bangor's rise as one of Maine's most dynamic urban environments. To this end, the Downtown Bangor Partnership helped usher in a year that saw Downtown increase its reach and presence to an ever-expanding audience of stakeholders and investors. Last calendar year there 12 business opened in Downtown and 1 closed for a net total of 11 new businesses. Additionally, the assessed value of Downtown grew by $3,457,500, a 2.3% change as investors continue to buy, rehabilitate and fill buildings Downtown. Last year the Board increased staff hours from 23.5 hours weekly to 27.5 hours weekly to support increased marketing efforts that drive traffic to existing businesses and elicit maximum impact from their efforts. One of the DBP's major initiatives this year was a comprehensive look at the stakeholders that make up downtown. With no accurate list of the business that comprise our population it is difficult to understand how to best listen to and serve the needs of the diverse group the DBP represents. The Networking and Outreach Committee hired an intern to comb through the DBP's master list, the website and the City's tax rolls to gather and synthesize information about who populates the Downtown. This past year saw a continued influx of businesses into Downtown, including new retail shops, restaurants, salons and service businesses. An always -expanding diversity of opportunities and experiences has made Downtown Bangor unique for years, and the regular addition of new shops, organizations, and eateries ensure that evolution is constantly forward -moving. A continued source of outsider traffic into Downtown is the collection of art and entertainment opportunities. In its switch to focusing on highlighting and growing the existing businesses Downtown, the DBP has focused its energy on acting as a megaphone to expand the reach of the stakeholder messaging by focusing energy and funds on the website and Facebook events calendars rather than cultivating competing events. This effort was manifested by creating "umbrella events" that target holidays and other high traffic opportunities that the DBP can use to gather information about what stakeholders are already planning and create a marking package that leverages the following the DBP has along with marketing funds to drive traffic to individual businesses. Last year the Events Committee worked hard to put together a new signature event for Downtown, The Downtown Bangor Sidewalk Art Festival, which stretched from the Bangor Public Library to the Bangor Arts Exchange. In addition to 50+ vendors, there were theatrical and musical performances, a demonstration tent with woodworking and glass blowing, and a children's area with a full day of community led activities. The event's placement served to draw attention and traffic to a more newly redeveloped area of Downtown. Attendance at the one day festival was estimated at 3,000 - 4,000. The pride of the Downtown Bangor community continued to be exemplified by the DBP's Beautification committee and its volunteer-fueled base. Events such as Downtown Clean-Up Day, Adopt-a-Garden, and the Big Dig helped keep Downtown visually appealing and inviting to visitors. Adopt-a-Garden saw 150 plots "adopted" throughout the streets of Downtown, with an anticipated 200+ volunteer base. Beautification also planted 60 flower boxes and planters Downtown. The Beautification committee grew the number of wheatpaste murals from FY19's six murals to 21 murals, created a walking map that was distributed to hotels and tourist centers, partnered with the airport to host gateway signage, and with the Maine Highlands to create a social media campaign contest using their marketing network. In the winter months, the Beautification Committee decorated 100 light posts with seasonal lighting, adding much needed layers of holiday spirit. The Beautification Committee also updated its popular Hannibal Hamlin Park lights to permanent infrastructure that remains up year round by adding 12 new poles to the park. Marketing Committee Focused efforts on regional advertising, seeking to grab the attention of both those who live locally and those passing through the region. The large sign over the airport escalator has been the effective at capturing visitors passing through Bangor and converting them to visitors to Bangor. Marketing Committee also set its sights on capturing the college marketing in an effort to create an affinity for Downtown. The DBP partnered with Tip Whip, a local ride sharing app only for college students, for a semester of marketing and to create Fall and Spring College night events. These events were popular with the nightlife stakeholders in Downtown who we identified as a previously underserved group. Marketing Committee has begun a long overdue overhaul of the website. The first stage included reorganizing webpages to create more mobile fluidity on the website and synching the website events calendar with the Facebook calendar so stakeholders no longer have to create their event in two places. The Executive Committee focused on creating a 5 year succession plan that would ensure the security and continuity of the DBP leadership. They have also been actively engaged in rekindling the role of the board in advocating for Downtown. Downtown continued to see the friendly face of Officer George Spencer, Downtown's very own beat officer, whose salary is partially funded by the DBP. Reports from Downtown stakeholders confirm that he is a welcome and utilized resource by the daytime businesses Downtown. In the 4th quarter of year, when COVID-19 impacted the general day-to-day operations of the majority of businesses downtown, the staff liaison worked with other city staff to implement measures such as short term parking for curbside pickup to help businesses adapt to the changes and created downtown business directories and promotions to support the modified operations of downtown businesses. The DBP remained in regular communication with stakeholders to provide resources, networking, and marketing to carry businesses through wide-sweeping financial challenges. Work Plan — Looking Forward to FY2021 Page 2 of 4 In FY2021 the Marketing committee plans to expand on last year's stakeholder surveying which revealed that 49% of respondents which to see more retail downtown. New surveying will be conducted to focus in on more specific data that can be used to further evaluate and hone our activities and attract new businesses downtown. The committee will work with local organizations to create a "Shark Tank" like competition to provide funding and resources to new retail business. The Marketing committee also seeks to update the content of website making it easier for prospective businesses, tenants, and investors to find information about the benefits of being Downtown. Marketing efforts will continue to focus on drawing from a 30 mile radius with a specific focus on strengthening ties with local colleges and universities. As with all of Marketing's efforts, this will endorse Downtown Bangor as a viable and attractive work space, live space, and play space to future investors and stakeholders. The Networking & Outreach committee will continue outreach efforts to underserved stakeholders in the service sector, property owners, and tenants, creating ties that will help the DBP better understand and meet their needs. The DBP will make the property owner lunch and listening session an annual event to ensure we meet and advocate for this sector. Networking & Outreach will continue with its popular Quarterly Retail meetings, creating more B2B opportunities within those meetings to help business owners connect and continue to support each other. Networking & Outreach will also continue to hold meetings and public forums to engage stakeholders including an annual social and town hall event to promote both formal and informal channels of networking and communication. We have seen a tremendous change in the perception of Downtown over the years, as well as the synergy between stakeholders. Ensuring feedback from those stakeholders, and providing platforms in which feedback can be delivered and heard, will be essential to our retention of residents, workers, and property owners, as well as our forward momentum. The Events Committee will continue the Sidewalk Arts Festival for a second year, drawing more outside artists and organizations, enhancing Downtown's image as a cultural center for Central Maine. Events Committee will roll out new retail focused events during the holiday season to maximize the success of Downtown retailers and restauranteurs in their busiest season. Events Committee will continue to seek out and support the many events already happening within the District, whether it is bringing additional entertainment and attraction to the Bangor Farmer's Market, or assisting in promotion of high density "umbrella" opportunities like Valentine's Day, Halloween and Mother's Day. The Beautification Committee will rework and replace all lighting in Pickering Square, Norumbega Parkway, and Hannibal Hamlin Park to create code compliant, year round lighting that is welcomed both for public safety and community enjoyment. Beautification will continue to enhance holiday lighting and features to ensure Downtown is a community center for shopping, gathering, and celebration. Beautification will also continue the Adopt -A -Garden and wheatpaste mural programs and increase management capacity with additional watering carts and pressure washers to help maintain the beauty of their efforts season long. Executive Committee seeks to increase and preserve institutional knowledge by creating a G Suite for Downtown Bangor documents and communications, and focusing board development with an eye for organizational leadership. The Executive Committee will also oversee the revision of the 5 year Strategic Plan for the DBP which will include public forums and feedback from the larger community. Page 3 of 4 Proposed Budget FY2021 Special Assessment I $ 76,580 Sponsorships 1 $ 13,000 Total 1 $ 89,580 1 Expenses Networking & Outreach $ 1,000 Beautification $ 9,000 Contract Services $ 42,000 General Administration $ 5,500 Public Safety Officer $ 10,000 Marketing $ 19,000 Events $ 3,000 Total $ 89,500 Net Income $ 80 Page 4 of 4 IN CITY COUNCIL JUNE 8,2020 CO 20-187 Motion made and seconded to Open Public Hearing Public Hearing Opened No Comment Motion made and seconded to Close Public Hearing Public Hearing Closed Motion made and seconded for Passage Vote: 9 -0 Councilors Voting Yes: Fournier,Hawes,Nichols, Okafor, Schaefer, Sprague, Supica, Tremble,Davitt Councilors Voting No: None Passed , �) CI Y LERK