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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-23 16-224 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 16-224 Date: May 23, 2016 Item/Subject ORDER, Adopting Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan for the Bangor Center Development District Responsible Department: Community & Economic Development Commentary: 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. This item was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Business & Economic Development Committee at its May 17, 2016 meeting. Tanya Emery Department Head Manager's Comments: inn, US, City Manager Associated Information: Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan attached to CO Budget Approval: Finance Director Legal Approval: City solicitor Introduced for X Passage First Reading Page _ of _ Referral Assigned to Councilor Graham CI"T"Y OF BANGOR 16-224 MAY 23, 2016 (TITLE.) ORDER, 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 2017", a copy of which is attached hereto as the development program for the Bangor Center Development District. IN CITY COUNCIL MAY 23, 2016 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING OPENDED MOTION MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED MOTION MADE AND SECONDED FOR PASSAGE COUNCILOR SPRAGUE ABSENT FROM VOTE PASSED CITY CLERI owntown B D� neor �Padnersnip 16-224 May 23, 2016 Bangor Center Development District Municipal Development Program and Financial Plan Fiscal Year 2017 FY2016 Summary and FY2017 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 FY2016 and to outline the pians and proposed budget for FY2017 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. We look forward to presenting the full FY2016 Annual Report to City Council upon the fiscal year's completion in July 2016. Executive Summary The fiscal year 2015/2016 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. The evolution of Downtown Bangor's brand continued with the launch of a new website, the rollout of a new "Discover Downtown Bangor" logo, and the creation of comprehensive downtown brochures. Downtown Bangor's Facebook page surpassed 11,000 followers, with renewed focus on social media and regular email communications helping to diversify downtown's audience beyond the physical reach of the district itself. The "Eat, Shop, Enjoy!" holiday marketing campaign, staged as a continuation of the increasingly popular Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday events, placed renewed emphasis on the "shop local" retail movement and helped to create record-setting holiday shopping seasons for many businesses. In addition to new restaurants and retail shops, downtown saw a number of new luxury apartments open (and fill up!) along Broad Street; shortly thereafter, other historic buildings on State Street and Central Street were purchased by young entrepreneurs, with the intention to create more living space. The biannual Town Hall meetings and quarterly Retailer Meetings continued to be an important tool in keeping residents and workers alike informed and involved. There is not only a strong desire from outside the downtown boundaries to be a part of the community within, but there is a connectedness between all of the downtown stakeholders that has rarely been stronger or more promising. A continued source of outsider traffic into downtown was the Cool Sounds Summer Concert Series and Fresh Air Market, an annual eight-week free outdoor event. This year's event was revenue -positive, and staged for the first time in the newly renovated West Market Square — much to the delight of square - adjacent restaurants hit hard by the previous year's construction. Another popular draw, the Downtown Countdown New Year's Eve event, was successfully licensed to another downtown non-profit, allowing the DBP to focus on its myriad goals while inspiring creative and economic entities to get in on the action. The pride of the Downtown Bangor community was best 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 130 plots "adopted" throughout the streets of Downtown, with an anticipated 200+ volunteer base. Along with help from the City and Bangor Greendrinks, the DBP invested in new trash and recycling receptacles, both of which had been sorely lacking along some of the most traveled pedestrian routes, fortifying the commitment to a living and working space. This year saw the retirement of Downtown Beat Officer Russ Twadell, as well as the start of his replacement: Officer George Spencer, a friendly and welcome representative who will surely get to know downtown as well as any of us. In the second half of the fiscal year, the Downtown Bangor Partnership hired a dedicated part-time staff person. The newly revised position makes better use of staff time and hours, and works closely with the Community & Economic Development department to help align DBP and City goals. As a full-time advocate for downtown, the Downtown Bangor Partnership's most powerful tools for change are our vision and our voice. We close out FY2016 poised to capitalize on another stretch of profound growth with renewed focus and clarity. Work Plan — Lookina Forward to FY2017 In FY2017, the Downtown Bangor Partnership will welcome nine new board members, all representing eclectic backgrounds and bringing a diverse set of skills to the table. It is a time of expansive change, but also an opportunity for new viewpoints and fresh ideas to help maintain the momentum of past years. The Marketing Committee plans to strengthen relationships and execute cross -promotions with other Bangor -area entities, such as Waterfront Concerts, Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, and Community Connector. Working closely with other organizations that also promote certain aspects of Bangor will be mutually beneficial to all. Marketing is also working on the creation of a downtown photo library, full of seasonally appropriate photos of downtown in action that can be used for a wide range of promotions, campaigns, and press releases. All of these efforts together 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 to hold meetings and public forums to engage stakeholders, as well as informational and educational sessions. 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 participate in the Arts & Economic Prosperity V study, a nationwide effort to document the economic impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry. We are partnering with New England School of Communications (NESCOM) to provide a college -credit internship, an opportunity which promises to offer hands-on experience with live -event planning and execution. The Beautification Committee is looking to Pickering Square, ahead of any major construction overhaul projects, as a next spot for lights, plantings, and more. The continued popularity of the summertime and wintertime planting and lighting efforts will once again ensure that all visitors' first impression of Downtown Bangor is one of positivity and promise. Page 2 of 3 FY2017 Assessme Event Revenue I Total 1 $ 77.690 1 Networking & Outreach $ 500 Beautification $ 5,000 Contract Services $ 30,700 General Administration $ 6,000 Public Safety Officer $ 10,000 Marketing $ 10,000 Events $ 14,475 Total $ 75,675 Net Income $ 1,015 Page 3 of 3