Downtown Akron Partnership Inc

PROMOTE AND BUILD A VIBRANT AND VALUABLE DOWNTOWN AKRON

CLEAN, SAFE & WELCOMING: DAP PROVIDES CLEANING AND SAFETY AMBASSADORS THROUGH OUR $397,388 CONTRACT WITH BLOCK BY BLOCK. DAP'S CLEAN & SAFE AMBASSADORS ENHANCE THE DOWNTOWN QUALITY OF LIFE WITH FOOT AND BIKE PATROLS THROUGHOUT THE 42-BLOCK DISTRICT AND ADJACENT BUSINESS MEMBER PROPERTIES. AMBASSADORS PATROL THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO REMOVE TRASH, GRAFFITI AND SAFETY HAZARDS, REPORT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND PROVIDE HOSPITALITY ASSISTANCE INCLUDING JUMP STARTS, LOCK OUTS, AND FUEL EMERGENCY SUPPORT. THE TEAM POWER WASHES SIDEWALKS, MAINTAINS ASH URNS, PULLS WEEDS AND CHECKS IN WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS. AS THE PANDEMIC CONTINUED, AMBASSADORS SHIFTED THEIR SERVICES TO FOCUS ON DISINFECTING HIGH TOUCH AREAS AND EXTENDING EVENING HOURS TO BETTER SERVE OUR GROWING RESIDENTIAL CONSTITUENCY.DAP FUNDS AN APD NIGHTTIME SHIFT SUPERVISOR THURSDAY-SATURDAY IN DOWNTOWN TO COORDINATE POLICE PRESENCE AT NIGHTLIFE VENUES, COMMUNICATE CONCERNS TO DAP STAFF AND PROVIDE DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE DISTRICT. THE TOTAL FOR CONTRACTED OFFICERS WAS $41,813. DAP COLLECTS CRIME DATA FROM WEEKLY APD REPORTS AND THE ONLINE LEXIS NEXIS COMMUNITY CRIME MAPPING SYSTEM TO LOOK FOR PATTERNS, REVISE THE DEPLOYMENT OF AMBASSADORS OR CONTRACTED OFFICERS, AND SEND ADVISORIES TO THE DISTRICT.THROUGH A GRANT FROM CORBIN FOUNDATION, DAP AMBASSADORS PLACED AND MAINTAINED 164 HANGING BASKETS, PLANTER BOXES AND SIDEWALK PLANTERS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. THIS MORE THAN $100,000 INVESTMENT WAS DESIGNED COLLABORATIVELY WITH DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS, DAP STAFF, AND KEEP AKRON BEAUTIFUL WITH WHOM DAP CONTRACTS TO MAINTAIN ADDITIONAL IN-GROUND DISPLAYS DOWNTOWN. IN 2021, DAP CONTINUED THE INTEGRATION OF NATIVE PERENNIALS AND SMALL TREES INTO THE DISPLAYS TO PROVIDE SEASONAL INTEREST AND A MORE SUSTAINABLE GREENSCAPE. THROUGHOUT THE 2020-21 FY, DAP STRENGTHENED AND GREW OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES WITH THE HELP OF PEG'S FOUNDATION TO WORK TOWARD TRANSITIONING DOWNTOWN'S UNSHELTERED POPULATION TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES EDUCATING DAP STAFF AND AMBASSADORS IN ENGAGING PEOPLE IN CRISIS, UNDERSTANDING ACCESS TO AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES, COLLABORATIVE TOURS THROUGH THE DISTRICT, AND INFORMATION SHARING BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS. AS OF 6/30/2021 FIVE INDIVIDUALS HAD TRANSITIONED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. DAP MAINTAINS TOWPATH WAYFINDING SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR AND CREATES MAPS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CONNECT VISITORS TO DOWNTOWN. DAP ALSO CONTRACTED WITH OHIO GOOSE PATROL TO DEPLOY A DOG PATROL TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF GEESE DOWNTOWN.

VIBRANCY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: MAIN STREET CONSTRUCTION PHASES I & II. PROGRESS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN ST. PROMENADE CONTINUED THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR. DAP ASSISTED IN MAIN ST. CONSTRUCTION BY PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING:1. FACILITATED CONNECTIONS BETWEEN CITY ENGINEERS, CONSTRUCTION TEAMS AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES2. ATTENDED BIWEEKLY CONSTRUCTION MEETINGS TO COMMUNICATE DISTRICT NEEDS3. PROVIDED TRAFFIC CLOSURE INFORMATION AND CLOSURE PLANNING ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES4. ASSISTED IN TEMPORARY SIGNAGE DESIGN/CREATION 5. DESIGN AND UPDATE OF WAYFINDING KIOSK SIGNAGE6. PROVIDED PRINT AND DIGITAL MARKETING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES 7. ASSISTED WITH CLEARING CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS AS NEEDEDDOWNTOWN DORA - THE CITY OF AKRON LAUNCHED ITS FIRST DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA (DORA) IN DOWNTOWN IN OCTOBER OF 2020. THE DORA ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO TAKE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OUTSIDE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DESIGNATED AREA. DAP ASSISTED WITH RESEARCH, ADVISING, DESIGN, SIGNAGE, COMMUNICATION AND PROGRAMMING THE DORA FROM PLAN TO IMPLEMENTATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DORA THROUGH AMBASSADOR SAFETY TOURS, PROGRAMMING, AND OVERSIGHT OF THE DORA CUP PROGRAM AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY.BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - BUSINESS IS A VITAL PART OF THE DOWNTOWN ECOSYSTEM. FOR FOURTEEN YEARS, BUSINESS OUTREACH AND SUPPORT HAS BEEN PART OF DAP'S PORTFOLIO OF SERVICE. IN 2017, WE ESTABLISHED GOALS AND EVALUATION TOOLS TO HELP US SUPPORT AND GROW DOWNTOWN'S ECONOMY UNDER THE ADVISEMENT OF OUR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. DAP MEETS RETAILERS QUARTERLY, AND WITH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NO LESS THAN BIANNUALLY, TO DETERMINE HOW WE MIGHT BEST HELP EACH BUSINESS SUCCEED. ADDITIONALLY, ELEVATE GREATER AKRON'S (EGA) BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION STRATEGY COMBINES WITH DAP'S OUTREACH EFFORTS TO BRING TOGETHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS TO BETTER SERVE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES. DAP COMMITS A MINIMUM OF 2 HOURS OF EVERY WEEK TO THIS COORDINATED EFFORT. IN 2021, DAP MADE MORE THAN 43 REFERRALS TO RESOURCES WITHIN THE NORTHEAST OHIO ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM, SUCH AS ELEVATE GREATER AKRON, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER, SEED CLINIC, AKRON URBAN LEAGUE, ECDI, HFLA OF NORTHEAST OHIO, BOUNCE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.DAP HOSTS AN ONLINE SITE SELECTION FORM TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES LOOKING FOR SPACE IN DOWNTOWN. DAP CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN DOWNTOWN AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL LISTINGS ON THE LOIS (LOCATION ONE INFORMATION SYSTEM) DATABASE ON DOWNTOWNAKRON.COM TO ENGAGE ENTREPRENEURS INTERESTED IN LOCATING THEIR BUSINESS DOWNTOWN. IN 2021, THE PLATFORM HAD 490 VISITORS, 749 SESSIONS, 5,783 PAGE VIEWS AND AN AVERAGE SESSION LENGTH OF 3:44 MINUTES.START DOWNTOWN - BURTON D. MORGAN FOUNDATION FUNDED PHASE 5 OF START DOWNTOWN (FORMERLY THE POP-UP RETAIL PROGRAM). THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PHASE 5 WAS TEMPORARILY PAUSED BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 2020, DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. ONCE THE PROGRAM RESUMED, PHASE 5 BENEFITED TWO NEW BUSINESSES IN 2020-21. THE PHASE 5 COHORT REFLECTS 100% MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES - EVELYN'S COFFEE AND BANH MI, PIGOUT PIZZA, BLAAK MEDIA, AND BRAUNSTEIN'S TAILORS. EACH BUSINESS RECEIVED 15 HOURS OF ENGAGEMENT FROM DAP INCLUDING MARKETING AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT DOWNTOWN CONTINUES TO SEE AN INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPANCY. DAP CONDUCTED 14 VISITS WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TO HELP BETTER SERVE DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS. PROGRAMMING DOWNTOWN: DAP WORKED CLOSELY WITH ARTISTS AND INSTRUCTORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO RETHINK TRADITIONAL PROGRAMMING WHILE REMAINING COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND CELEBRATING ARTS AND CULTURE AS A CRITICAL PART OF THE DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE. WE CONTINUE TO CONVENE DISTRICT PARTNERS IN A VIRTUAL, BI-WEEKLY DOWNTOWN PROGRAMMING CALL. NOW WITH MORE THAN 25 ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING, THE GROUP IS COLLABORATIVELY HELPING DOWNTOWN VIBRANCY BOUNCE BACK. 3RD THURSDAY - EACH MONTH, 3RD THURSDAY CONTINUED TO INVITE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE ART, CULTURE, CUISINE AND ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN AKRON, WHETHER IN PHYSICALLY-DISTANCED WAYS OR THROUGH VIRTUAL OFFERINGS. DAP GATHERED AND DISTRIBUTED 3RD THURSDAY OFFERINGS WITH A DOWNLOADABLE PDF CONTAINING CARRY OUT FOOD SPECIALS, ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES, AND VIRTUAL AND SAFE IN-PERSON EVENTS.SUMMER - DAP OFFERED PHYSICALLY-DISTANCED, IN-PERSON FITNESS CLASSES IN LOCK 3, WITH SUPPORT FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION, FROM JULY THROUGH OCTOBER THAT INCLUDED YOGA, POUND, DRUMFIT, ZUMBA AND LINE DANCING. THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH SYLC CONSULTING, DAP OFFERED WEEKLY VIRTUAL MEDITATION CLASSES FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST, WHICH WERE VIEWED BY MORE THAN 4,300 PEOPLE. WITH SUPPORT FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION AND OHIO ARTS COUNCIL, DAP PRESENTED CONCERTS IN THE COMMONS ON MONDAYS, FROM AUGUST 24 THROUGH OCTOBER 19. THE CONCERTS WERE DESIGNED TO SAFELY ACTIVATE PUBLIC SPACES ACROSS DOWNTOWN, WHILE BEING LIVE-STREAMED FOR FREE TO VIEWERS WHO CHOSE TO ENJOY THE CONCERTS FROM HOME. COMBINED VIEWS OF THE CONCERTS EXCEEDED 12,000. HARVEST MART - WITH SUPPORT FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION, DAP BROUGHT HARVEST MART TO THE NEWLY-REOPENED PORTION OF MAIN ST. AT LOCK 3. HARVEST MART WAS HELD ON TWO SATURDAYS AND DREW 450 PEOPLE WITH A COMBINATION OF LATE-SUMMER PRODUCE, PASTURE-FED FRESH MEATS, AND THE WORKS OF LOCAL ARTISANS. DAP ENHANCED THE MARKETS BY LEADING SPIN E-SCOOTER TOURS, SPONSORING A MAIN ST. "SCARE-VENGER HUNT" FOR FAMILIES, PROMOTING THE DORA, LOCK 3 MUSIC AND MOVIE PROGRAMMING, AND THE AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S MONSTER ROCKTOBER EXPERIENCES. WINTER - DOWNTOWN CELEBRATED WINTER A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY IN 2020, BUT NOT WITHOUT HOLIDAY CHEER. DAP HOSTED A WINTER EDITION OF CONCERTS IN THE COMMONS THIS TIME AN ENTIRELY VIRTUAL SERIES, FEATURING EIGHT MUSICAL PERFORMANCES AND A SPECIAL HOLIDAY EPISODE. TOTAL VIEWERSHIP EXCEEDED 7,000. A CUSTOM SET WAS CREATED FOR THE SHOW BY INDA BLATCH-GEIB DESIGNS WHICH WAS THEN INSTALLED IN A STOREFRONT TO COMPLEMENT DAP'S HISTORIC WINDOW DISPLAYS THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN AND IN LOCK 3. IN ADDITION TO THE HOLIDAY WINDOWS, DAP INVESTED IN ACTIVATING VACANT WINDOWS WITH THE HELP OF CURATED STOREFRONT. AND WITH SUPPORT FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION, DAP INVESTED MORE THAN $47,000 IN HOLIDAY LIGHTING AND OTHER DECORATIVE ENHANCEMENTS TO INVITE PEOPLE BACK TO DOWNTOWN TO MAKE A WINTER MEMORY.

KNIGHT INITIATIVES: KNIGHT FOUNDATION FUNDS WERE DEPLOYED TOWARD TACTICAL IMPROVEMENTS, PLANNING, PROGRAMMING AND CAPACITY SUPPORT WHEN AND WHERE THEY WERE NEEDED. THE WORK SUCCESSFULLY INSPIRED NEW PUBLIC REALM INVESTMENTS, ENHANCED INVESTMENTS ALREADY UNDERWAY, MITIGATED IMPACTS OF CONSTRUCTION, AND CULTIVATED ENGAGEMENT THROUGHOUT OUR THREE-YEAR PARTNERSHIP. BY CO-DECIDING WHEN AND WHERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WORK WERE BEST SUITED FOR DAP INVOLVEMENT, WE MAXIMIZED THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF KNIGHT SUPPORT. WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE INITIATIVES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND MATCHING FUNDS THAT INCREASED DAP CAPACITY TO CONVENE STAKEHOLDERS AND WORK AS AN ALLY ACROSS SECTORS. KEY OUTCOMES INCLUDE:1. INCREASE DAP CAPACITY FOR PROGRAMMING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT THROUGH BIEDERMAN REDEVELOPMENT VENTURES 2. ASSIST IN RETAIL INCUBATION THROUGH CONTRACTED EXPERTISE, POS INVESTMENT AND POP-UP SUPPORT AT NORTHSIDE MARKETPLACE.2. CREATE PUBLIC SPACE PLACEMAKING IMPROVEMENTS AT NORTHSIDE GREEN, NORTH HIGH, LOCK NEXT AND STEM SCHOOL PLAZA.3. PROGRAM CASCADE PLAZA AND OTHER SPACES WITH FOCUS ON MIXING IN PLACE.4. SUPPORT INITIAL DOWNTOWN JUNETEENTH, HALLOWEEN AND CHERRY BLOSSOM PROGRAMMING SUPPORTING PROGRAMMATIC TRANSITION TO IN-PERSON EVENTS.5. IMPROVE DOWNTOWN WELCOMING THROUGH ART INTEGRATION INTO POLE BANNERS, BUS SHELTERS, STOREFRONT WINDOWS AND SPACE IMPROVEMENTS. 6. IMPROVE MAIN ST AND LOCK 3 WINTERSCAPE THROUGH INSTALLATION OF HOLIDAY LIGHTING AND PROGRAMMATIC ENHANCEMENTS TO LOCK 3. 7. SUPPORT DAP CAPACITY THROUGH INTERNS, CONSULTANTS AND STAFF SUPPORT TO ACCOMPLISH THE BODY OF WORK.8. CREATION OF THE DOWNTOWN PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE. KNIGHT SUPPORT WAS USED IN MULTIPLE INSTANCES TO GUIDE PUBLIC REALM INVESTMENT THROUGH PLANNING AND CONSULTANTS, AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT THROUGH STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, DAP CAME ALONGSIDE CITY DEPARTMENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO INTEGRATE BEST PRINCIPLES INTO PUBLIC SPACES AND, IN SOME CASES, HELP MATERIALIZE THOSE PLANS AND PROGRAM THE RESPECTIVE SPACES. QUANTIFYING THOSE INVESTMENTS AND AUDIENCES ENGAGED HELPS US DEMONSTRATE THE BROAD IMPACT OF THE WORK.