Milwaukee Downtown Inc

LEAD AND INSPIRE BELIEVERS IN MILWAUKEE TO ENGAGE IN EFFORTS THAT BUILD DOWNTOWN AS THE THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE, INNOVATIVE, AND VIBRANT HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL AND STREET DECORATING - THE MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL HAS HELPED TO ESTABLISH DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE AS A PREMIER MIDWESTERN DESTINATION, DAZZLING GUESTS WITH NEW DISPLAYS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS THE LEAD COORDINATOR IN PROCURING AND INSTALLING DECOR, PRODUCING SEVERAL EVENTS, AND MARKETING EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES DURING THE SIX-WEEK FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES 70+ LOCAL SCHOOLS DECORATING A TREE WITH HANDMADE ORNAMENTS TO CREATE COMMUNITY SPIRIT PARK; PARK DECORATIONS IN CATHEDRAL SQUARE, PERE MARQUETTE AND ZEIDLER UNION SQUARE; A KICK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS FOR THE FIRST TIME - SHOW INCLUDES DANCE ACTS, SINGERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, FIREWORKS AND MORE; SANTA'S MAILBOX, WHERE CHILDREN RECEIVE A PERSONALIZED LETTER BACK FROM SANTA; THE JINGLE BUS, A 40-MINUTE GUIDED TOUR OF MILWAUKEE WITH A FOCUS ON THE DECORATED PARKS IN A HEATED COACH USA BUS AND A FIVE-EPISODE JINGLE BUS TOUR PODCAST WITH HELP OF IHEART RADIO IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH; COCOA WITH THE CLAUSES, A FREE OPPORTUNITY TO SNAP FESTIVAL PHOTOS; AN ANNUAL ORNAMENT HONORING A DOWNTOWN LANDMARK; AND A COMPREHENSIVE BROCHURE FOR ACTIVITIES TO DO DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

EVENTS AND MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE CONSTITUENTS:DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK - FOR EIGHT DAYS AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE, CONSUMERS ENJOY A PRIX-FIXE MENU FOR LUNCH AND/OR DINNER AT 35+ RESTAURANTS. LUNCH IS $15 OR $25 AND DINNER IS EITHER $35 OR $45 DEPENDING ON THE VALUE OF THE MEAL. AN ESTIMATED 75,000 PATRONS PARTICIPATE IN DOWNTOWN DINING WEEK ANNUALLY.DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK - OUR THANK YOU TO THE DOWNTOWN WORKFORCE INCLUDES DAILY FREE LUNCHES, AFTER-WORK EVENTS INCLUDING VOLLEYBALL AND TRIVIA, EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION EVENTS, PRIZES AND MORE. WE WORK WITH OVER 20 LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO PROVIDE FREE LUNCH TO WORKERS, COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFITS TO HAVE BOOTHS THAT HAVE VALUABLE INFORMATION AND PRIZES FOR THE WORKFORCE AND SECURE OVER $30,000 WORTH OF PRODUCT TO GIVE AWAY ALL WEEK LONG.TASTE & TOAST - THE MONDAY-FRIDAY EVENT FEATURES COCKTAILS, MOCK-TAILS AND SMALL PLATES AT 20+ ESTABLISHMENTS AT A HIGH VALUE TO THE CONSUMER. THE EVENT TAKES PLACE DURING FIRST QUARTER TO DRIVE PATRONS INTO RESTAURANTS AND BARS DURING A SLOW TIME. SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING: WE UTILIZE FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO CONNECT WITH OUR CONSUMER, COMMUNICATE IMPORTANT INFORMATION, SHARE PICTURES AND EVENTS AND SHARE SURVEY LINKS FOR ALL OF OUR EVENTS. COMMUNITY COLLABORATION - WE WORK WITH MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE OUR EVENTS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING CITY AND COUNTY WORKERS, NON-PROFITS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, SPORT TEAMS AND MORE. PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING - STRATEGIES UTILIZED TO COMMUNICATE BID #21'S MISSION AND ACHIEVE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS. TACTICS INCLUDE PRESS RELEASE DEVELOPMENT, MEDIA COORDINATION, WEBSITE MAINTENANCE, NEWSLETTERS TARGETING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIENCES, AND MEDIA PLACEMENTS.BRANDING - A HYPER LOCAL MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN TO BRAND DOWNTOWN AS A DESTINATION TO WORK, LIVE, PLAY AND VISIT BY ELEVATING THE AWARENESS OF THE PLETHORA OF THINGS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS: THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES DOWNTOWN AS THE TOP DESTINATION FOR BUSINESSES TO LOCATE AND/OR EXPAND THROUGH A WIDE VARIETY OF STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS. STRATEGIES INCLUDE: CO-LEADING THE CONNECTING MKE DOWNTOWN PLAN 2040, CREATING COLLATERAL AND COMMUNICATION PIECES SUCH AS THE DOWNTOWN AREA INVESTMENT MAP, THE HOP STREETCAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES GUIDE, MKE BLUEPRINT MAGAZINE, REAL RESULTS NEWSLETTER, SKYWALK MAP, AND REGULAR BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS TO TELL THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT STORY. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A GO-TO RESOURCE FOR ACCURATE MARKET DATA THAT IS USED BY DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, BUSINESSES AND THE BROKERAGE COMMUNITY. THROUGH THE CEO CALL PROGRAM AND ONGOING OUTREACH, STAFF GATHERS DATA FROM BUSINESS EXECUTIVES ABOUT THE POSITIVES AND CHALLENGES OF DOING BUSINESS IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE, WHICH ULTIMATELY PROVIDES A POINT OF DIRECTION ON NEW AND EXISTING INITIATIVES. IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH CITY OF MILWAUKEE STAFF ON INCENTIVE PROGRAMS SUCH AS FAADE, WHITE BOX, AND SIGNAGE GRANTS, BID #21 STAFF HAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED ITS OWN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO ATTRACT BUSINESS DOWNTOWN THAT WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK FIVE NINE NAMED THE MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN POOL. STAFF ALSO PROMOTES THE USE OF THE DOWNTOWN PACE LOAN POOL, BETTER BUILDINGS CHALLENGE, AND OPPORTUNITY ZONES. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A TRUSTEE OF THE KIVA ZIP LOAN PROGRAM AND AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE STATE'S CONNECT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN INCLUDING THE HOP, BUS RAPID TRANSIT, ADDITIONAL BIKE LANES, THE REVITALIZATION OF THE BROADWAY CONNECTION, EXPANSION OF THE HOP STREETCAR LINE, MILWAUKEE TOOL TID SUPPORT, VAN BUREN TID SUPPORT, THE RETURN OF MICRO-MOBILITY SCOOTERS, AND OTHER NEW PROGRAMS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN STAFF ALSO IS PLACING ADDED EMPHASIS ON SUPPORTING THE NIGHTTIME ECONOMY AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES THROUGH PUBLIC ART, BRANDING, AND CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS. STAFF ALSO MAINTAINS LISTS OF PROPERTY AVAILABLE FOR LEASE/SALE, AND PROVES TO BE A GO-TO RESOURCE FOR DOWNTOWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION. STAFF ALSO IS LEADING SEVERAL QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVES THAT AIM TO MAKE MILWAUKEE A DESTINATION TO LIVE, ATTRACTING TALENT THAT IN TURNS, ATTRACTS BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF TALENT. THESE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DOWNTOWN'S FIRST DOG PARK, AESTHETIC UNDER FREEWAY LIGHTING & MURALS, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO DOWNTOWN'S OPEN SPACES AND PARKS.PUBLIC ART IMPLEMENTATIONS - LED THE COORDINATION AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR VARIOUS MURALS TO BEAUTIFY THE PUBLIC REALM WITH ART.ACTIVATION - INITIATED NEW PROJECTS TO ENLIVEN DOWNTOWN'S SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS, AND OTHER PUBLIC SPACES TO BOOST PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND CUSTOMERS TO BRICK-AND-MORTAR BUSINESSES.REIMAGINE RED ARROW PARK - A MULTI-YEAR, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE THIS CENTRALIZED PUBLIC SPACE, AND TO FOSTER CIVIC LIFE IN IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. PROGRAMMING INCLUDED DOWNTOWN ICE CAPE-ADE IN FEBRUARY, BIG TRUCK DAY IN MAY, AND HEART(BEATS) OF THE CITY POWERED BY MGIC, A NEW LUNCHTIME CONCERT AND FOOD TRUCK SERIES TARGETING THE RETURNING DOWNTOWN WORKFORCE, EVERY WEDNESDAY IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST, AND JACK-O-LANTERN JUBILEE PRESENTED BY WATERSTONEBANK IN OCTOBER.PNC PRESENTS TUNES@NOON - COORDINATED AND LED FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR A LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES IN THE 411 EAST WISCONSIN CENTER'S SUNKEN COURTYARD SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2019. FRAME THE SQUARE - A STREETSCAPING PROJECT THAT IS NEARING COMPLETIION AS THE FIRST PHASE OF A GROUP OF MASTER-PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO CATHEDRAL SQUARE. CATHEDRAL SQUARE FRIENDS AND MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN ARE COORDINATING THE PROJECT WITH EAST TOWN ASSOCIATION, THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE, AND MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC SPACE ADJACENT TO THE SQUARE IN A MANNER THAT ENGAGES ALL PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY. LIKE MOST STREETSCAPING PROJECTS, THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE LOCATED IN THE CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY AND INCLUDE NEW SIDEWALKS, CROSSWALK CONNECTIONS, LIGHTING, LANDSCAPING, AND TYPICAL STREETSCAPE AMENITIES. DOWNTOWN DOG PARK - A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN MULTIPLE PUBLIC SECTORS, INCLUDING THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE, AND HISTORIC THIRD WARD, BID #2, TO TRANSFORM AN EMPTY PARCEL OF LAND UNDERNEATH THE I-794 OVERPASS, BETWEEN THE MILWAUKEE RIVER AND PLANKINTON AVENUE, INTO DOWNTOWN'S FIRST DOG PARK.

COVID-19 RECOVERY EFFORTS: AS DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE REOPENED, EFFORTS INCLUDING A MKE IT BACK CAMPAIGN, PUBLIC SPACE ENHANCEMENTS, CODE OF CONDUCT SIGNAGE, MASK UP MILWAUKEE POSTERS, SANITATION STATIONS, OUTDOOR SEATING, COMEBACK CUISINE, AND ACTIVE STREETS EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE RESTAURANTS BECAME PRIORITIES TO KEEP DOWNTOWN SAFE AND TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY FROM COVID-19. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN WAS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE'S ACTIVE STREETS FOR BUSINESSES PROGRAM WHICH LED TO THE REPURPOSING OF UNDERUTILIZED PARKING SPACES INTO ADDED OUTSIDE SEATING FOR BUSINESSES WHEN THEY NEEDED IT MOST. IN EARLY 2021, THE ORGANIZATION GRANTED $250,000 TO LOCAL RETAIL BUSINESSES THAT DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, RESILIENCY DURING THE PANDEMIC, VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO OPERATING DOWNTOWN. MILWAUKEE DOWNTOWN ALSO ASSISTED OVER 70 SMALL BUSINESSES IN RECEIVING OVER $700,000 IN GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE MAIN STREET BOUNCEBACK PROGRAM.KEY TO CHANGE - DIRECTS FUNDS TO BENEFIT PROGRAMS TO HELP ASSIST HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. DONATIONS ARE USED TOFURTHER THE MISSION OF MILWAUKEE COUNTY HOUSING DIVISION'S HOUSING FIRST PROJECT, AN INITIATIVE THAT RECOGNIZES HOUSING AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD STABILIZATION. STABLE LIVING CONDITIONS ARE THEN COMPLEMENTED BY WRAPAROUND SERVICES, WHICH RANGE FROM REHABILITATION AND COUNSELING TO JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT. REPLICATED IN OTHER CITIES, DATA FOR HOUSING FIRST PROGRAMS OVERWHELMINGLY SHOWS THAT THIS MODEL DRAMATICALLY REDUCES PUBLIC SERVICE COSTS, AS WELL AS IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE CONSUMER AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.