The document summarizes research and outreach efforts of the Northeast Community Development Corporation regarding the Central Avenue commercial corridor in Minneapolis. It discusses establishing a database and website in Year 1 to share information. A survey of businesses found priorities like winter services, filling vacancies, and marketing. It also provides details on existing services from the Central Ave Special Service District and explores benefits of establishing a Business Improvement District with broader services and funding abilities. Year 2 plans include continued education, research, and dialogue with stakeholders.

1. The Northeast Community Development Corporation - Great Cities - Research and Planning for the Central Avenue Commercial Corridor

2. Why We Are Here?

3. How We Are Researching: Year One Focus: Education and Outreach Feasibility Studies

4. Collaboration • University United • West Broadway Business & Area Coalition • Lake Street Council • Sparc on Rice Street

5. Year One Milestones 1. Database 2. Website 3. Survey

6. Great Cities Database • Updated and completed • Increased scope • Took into account new tenants and vacancies

7. Great Cities Website • Outreach mechanism for the Great Cities project • Connect the project group members and businesses involved • Tool to share research findings

8. Great Cities Survey • Outreach survey (300) • Feedback gained from participants and stakeholders • Made the initial connections to affected parties • Translated into Spanish, hard and online copy • Pinpointed areas of need

9. BID Survey Responses 50% Property Owners (lower than expected) 65% Business Owners (or both) 50% familiar with CASSD 35% familiar with BIDs

10. Survey Responses: Priorities Initial responses are noting a range of priorities from: Winter Services Graffiti Removal Filling Vacant Storefronts 4. Control Over Budgets 5. Marketing 6. Increased Parking 7. Landscaping 8. Tree Lights 9. Banners 10. Snowflake Installation

11. Survey Responses: Other Suggestions • Parking on Friday afternoons is bad • Clean up existing business store fronts and sidewalks • Window signage, cluttered windows, dirty storefronts • Safety/perception of safety • Better storefronts and name brand restaurants

12. What are Special Service Districts? Special Service Districts? They provide business and property owners the ability to tax themselves and pay for an increased number of municipal services or services at a level higher than the base line of services provided by the City of Minneapolis

13. What is CASSD? Central Ave Special Service District (CASSD) The advisory board that is currently in place Located on Central between 19th Avenue & 26th Avenue Formed in 1999 Pays for services above and beyond the basic services provided by the City of Minneapolis

14. CASSD Central Avenue Special Service District Central Avenue Special Service District • Winter Services: snow removal • Twinkle Tree Light Installation, Repair, and Removal (November-April) • Snowflake and Garland Installation, Repair, and Removal • Landscaping: trees, signage, banners, and planters • Banners: new street banners • Additional considerations: flower pots, bike racks, alternatives to metal tree grates, increased trash removal

15. What are Business Improvement Districts? Business Improvement Districts? A partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district.

16. What is the Difference? BID Able to determine the contractor May hire third party service providers SSD Available services are defined by ordinance No funding for marketing / special events

17. What is the Future of Central Avenue? of Central Avenue?

18. What are the possible benefits that could result from a Business Improvement District?Arrangement? 1. Broader scope of services 2. Supplemental services and programs 3. Ability to respond quickly to changing needs of the business community

19. 4. Potential to increase property values 5. Improve sales and decrease commercial vacancy rates 6. A district that is better able to compete with nearby retail and business centers

20. Great Cities Project - 2012 Year 2 Milestones for the Collaborative: • Implementation • Research • Continued Education and Outreach

21. Dialogue Ongoing communications Meet with property owners and businesses Send informational packets Work with Chamber of Commerce & Local Orgs on the Central Avenue Plan

22. Education, Policy and Outreach Monthly CASSD meetings Quarterly Neighborhood meetings Attend City Council meetings Refine educational materials with updated information, distribute e-versions

23. Other Districting Priorities Research Parking along Central Avenue Research P.I.D.s Consult Central Avenue Plan Arts District priorities and funding mechanisms

24. Communications Continue to update Great Cities sites and Microsites Monthly updates to businesses via site Continue translation Research to answer questions and concerns

25. Thank You! Let’s talk! Let’s talk! Let’s talk!